ANNUAL REPORT2

01

7

ROBERT LIBUTTI, President Retired, UGI Energy Services

JASON BRUDERECK, Vice President Director of Communications Berks County Community Foundation

TERRY GRASSLEY, Treasurer SVP & Director of Administration, PA & NJ Customers Bank

EMILY L. HERSHEY, Secretary Secondary Teacher, Wilson School District

MEGAN ADUKAITIS Director of Career Development Alvernia University

BRIDGET CAMBRIA, ESQ. Partner – Attorney at Law, Cambria & Kline, PC

JAMES ELLIKER Doctoral Candidate in Leadership Studies Alvernia University

DR. ROULA ELLIKER Gifted Support Teacher Muhlenberg School District

JACQUELYN M. KLINE, ESQ. Partner – Attorney at Law Cambria & Kline, PC

DR. ARLENE OTIS Retired, Berks County Intermediate Unit

SONYA SMITH Assistant Director, Grants & Sponsored Projects, Kutztown University

PAT SNYDER Office Manager C. Malcolm Smith, CPA

DENISE STROHMAYR Assistant Professor, RACC

JIM WOOD VP Sales, Penske Truck Leasing

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Ryan A. Breisch, Executive Director

Laurie Dawkins, Associate Director

Beverly Hirneisen, Case Manager

Cathy Martin, Volunteer Coordinator

Robert Rio, Evening Desk Person

Wendy Rio, Data Entry Coordinator

Lillian Svenson, Administrative Assistant

INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF

Donald Bickel

Beth Ann Crippen

Susan Fineman

Jennifer Thompson

Patricia Rittenhouse

Pamela Sonon

Ramona Turpin

Kimberly Zientek

35 South Dwight Street West Lawn, PA 19609P: 610.670.9960 F: 610.927.4876 info@lcrb.org www.lcrb.org

Dear Friends,

As we close the book on 2017 and look forward to 2018, our 50th anniversary year, I am reminded of how far our organization has come. 2017 was full of change and progress. We welcomed new Board members, renovated classroom space, created a brand-new strategic plan to guide us over the next three years, and have been building partnerships that will have a lasting and positive impact for Berks County residents.

We’re proud to be working with a wide range of dedicated, caring individuals and organizations. From government to the faith community, there’s a genuine groundswell and focus on seeing an improvement to adult literacy here in Berks County.

In 2017, our English Forward program helped provide English-language classes to over 350 adults in 17 different community-based classes. In total, we helped over 670 adults complete over 23,000 learning hours in our literacy programs last year.

Our success is the community’s success. With the ongoing support of our donors, partners, Board and volunteers, the Literacy Council is ready for the challenges and achievements ahead in our 50th year of service to Berks County! Thank you for helping us make an impact in our community.

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MISSION

The mission of the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks is to help people better communicate, collaborate and contribute to their workplace and community.

VISION

To eradicate illiteracy in Berks County by teaching people the vital reading, writing, speaking, listening and language skills needed to improve their quality of life and enable more productive employment and community citizenship.

VALUES AND GOALS

Respect for all

Empower volunteers and staff to provide quality services

Provide a spectrum of literacy services

Develop curricula to respond to the changing literacy needs of the community

Implement innovative technology and techniques

Network to identify resources and partnerships

Guide all participants in achieving their goalsRyan A. Breisch

Executive Director1HEP – High School Equivalency Program

One-on-One Tutoring 94 students / 5,796 hours of tutoring

ESL Classes 336 students / 11,969 hours of class

HEP1 Classes 204 students / 5,095 hours of class

Citizenship Preparation Classes 32 students / 389 hours of class

Tutor Volunteers 60 / 4,443 volunteer hours

Non-tutor Volunteers 15 / 849 volunteer hours

WE PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING SERVICES FINANCIAL REPORT

REVENUE: $485,250.71

Federal, State and United Way Grants:

$338,228.89

Fee-for-Service Programs:

$14,086.76

Contributions, Gifts, Foundations: $111,815.77

Fundraising [Special Events]:

$21,119.29

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0

EXPENSES: $411,232.96

Literacy Program Services:

$306,954.18

Management and General:

$91,888.31

Fundraising: $12,390.47

THE LITERACY COUNCIL BY THE NUMBERS

After I dropped out of high school in 12th grade, I

started working for a local restaurant in Robesonia,

not knowing what I was going to do with the rest of

my life. After a few years, I quit my job and enrolled

in a GED class at RACC. While I attended RACC,

Ramona Turpin from the Literacy Council came to

recruit for the Workforce Development Program.

I was intrigued and enrolled!

The class taught me how to communicate with

co-workers and supervisors, understand workplace

culture, be safe in the work environment, work in

teams and problem solve. It was a great refresher

of some things I already knew. Part of the course

involved job shadowing and mentoring. I was

fortunate to do my shadowing at the DoubleTree

by Hilton in Reading.

After graduating from the WDP, I was offered a

full-time job at the DoubleTree, and then was offered the

position of front desk supervisor. After I started working at

the DoubleTree, we won The Connie Award, the highest hotel

award for all brands across Hilton Worldwide. I recently went

to Washington D.C. and completed Hilton Hotel’s Front Office

Academy. The Literacy Council’s Workforce Development

Program has been a blessing to me, as my passion has always

been working in the hospitality field. Now I get to do what I

love every day!

RA

ND

ALL

GAHRES

Eight years ago, I was living on my own in Delaware after my mother was forced to return

to the Dominican Republic. I met a man and became pregnant with my daughter, Gianna.

A few years later, when I was pregnant again, the man left me. I trusted the wrong person,

who didn’t care what happened to me.

Since I could not afford a place

to live, I went to a shelter for

homeless women. There wasn’t

enough space for me there, but I eventually connected with Mary’s Shelter in Reading, where

I was welcomed in November 2014. My son, Josiah, was born in March 2015, and I stayed

at Mary’s Shelter until they helped me get an apartment and provide support for my children

and me.

That’s when I started taking classes at RACC. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life,

but one day, I noticed a sign for the Community Health Worker Program, instructed

by the Literacy Council and sponsored by Penn State Health St. Joseph and the East Central

Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center. Something about the program appealed to me,

so I called to find out how I could sign up.

Thrilled with the opportunity, I attended every class, learning about topics such as chronic

diseases, behavioral health, tobacco cessation, health care access, first aid and CPR training.

I knew this class was where I needed to be. I knew that once I finished the course, I would be

able to give back to the community that gave me so much.

Thanks to the Community Health Worker class, I am currently working at Safe Berks as a

hotline intake worker. Because of my experience in Mary’s Shelter, I can empathize with the

clients. Little did I know that all the difficulties I experienced would lead me to help others.

AHELY ESPINOZA

The Connie Award, the highest hotel award for all brands across Hilton Worldwide.

FOUNDATIONSDollar General Literacy FoundationCatherine V. & Martin W. Hofmann FoundationHolleran Donor-Advised Fund of Berks Co. Community FoundationHenry Janssen FoundationShillington Lions Club FoundationJohn Wilson Smith Family FundWells Fargo Foundation

BENEFACTORS, PATRONS, SPONSORS, SUBSCRIBERS & CONTRIBUTORSBENEFACTORS ($1,000+)Customers BankFidelity Charitable In memory of Mr. John Smith IIIMrs. Elizabeth C. Wolfe

PATRONS ($500 – $999)Alsace Lutheran ChurchDr. & Mrs. Stephen CarlsonMr. & Mrs. James EllikerMr. Charles A. Gerhart & Ruth A. HinesMr. Mike Gibbs – UGI Energy ServicesMr. & Mrs. Ronald J. HunsickerMr. Steven S. KeiserMr. & Mrs. Kevin J. OchsPenske Truck Leasing CompanySt. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran ChurchDr. & Mrs. David E. Texter

Megan Adukaitis

Kendra Bailey

Linda Beck

Angela Blum

Diane Bostelle

Gerri Brenner

Jason Brudereck

Bridget Cambria

Stephen Carlson

Janet Clemmer

Michael Collins

Vanessa Culbertson

Phyllis Dessel

Helen Didyoung

Erika Dominguez

James Elliker

Roula Elliker

Kenneth Emkey

Sandie Evans

Michele Foreman

Brian Forsyth

Christine Galanti

Bernice Gehman

Barbara Geisler

Charlie Gerhart

John Goldstan

Matthew Goldstan

Debra Goodman

Nancy Graff

Terry Grassley

Ann Greenstein

Joan Halabura

Emily Hershey

Christa Hirneisen

Cathy Hubis

Ronald Hunsicker

Matthew Johnson

Robert Jones

Cynthia Kadel

Margaret Keltz

Jacqueline Kline

Lily Kober

Kathy Landis

Phil Lehman

Robert J. Libutti

Freddie Martin

Bob McMechan

Judy McMechan

Susan Miller

Beverly Myers

Mary Namiotka

Arlene Otis

Eva Plichta

Danette Posey

Thomas Powell

Danielle Pritz

Lisa Randow

Jane Reitz

Susan Renda

Roger Schein

Dell Scherneck

Patricia Schuettler

Christine Seghetti

Diane Shalter

Tim Shores

John Small

Sonya Smith

Patricia Snyder

Judy Speicher

Joanne Stamm

Denise Strohmayr

Sylvia Summers

William Thompson, Jr.

James Wood

Ruth Ann Yehl

Patricia Yoder

RECOGNITION OF OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS

SPONSORS ($250 – $499)Mr. & Mrs. Chris Aarons In memory of Theodore Z. AaronsBerks Technical Institute In memory of Phil BarbersEast Penn Manufacturing CompanyMr. Shawn Filby - Chick-fil-A ExeterMr. & Mrs. Robert J. LibuttiQuadrant EPP USA, Inc.St. John’s Lutheran ChurchJuan Garcia-VazquezMr. James T. WoodMr. & Mrs. Richard Zuidema

SUBSCRIBERS ($100 – $249)Ms. Lisa AdamsMrs. Megan AdukaitisMr. & Ms. Earl AndrewsMs. Harriet M. BaskinMr. Garland J. BearMr. & Mrs. Jeffrey A. BehmMr. & Mrs. Donald J. BickelMr. & Mrs. Harold W. BreischMr. & Mrs. Jason Brudereck In memory of William C. BrudereckMs. Bridget CambriaMs. Janet C. Clemmer In memory of Theodore Z. AaronsConnors Investor Services, Inc.H. Anderson EllsworthMr. & Mrs. John DeMartinoMs. Renee’ L. Dietrich In memory of Karen GoodDr. Connie Gallen - Northeast DentistryMs. Hildegarde GernsheimerMr. & Mrs. Jacob A. Gicker, Jr. In memory of Theodore Z. AaronsMr. Matthew GoldstanMr. & Mrs. Terry D. GrassleyDr. Ann T. GundryHartman, Valeriano, Magovern, & LutzMr. John D. HerringMs. Michelle L. JacobsMs. Georgianne JonesKautter & Kelley Architects, Inc.Mrs. Nancy J. KnoblachMr. & Mrs. Robert F. LefkowithMs. Hong Lin Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. McMechanMr. & Mrs. John G. Meharg, Jr.

Dr. C. Susan MunchDr. Arlene C. OtisAtty. Scott C. PainterMr. & Mrs. Henry A. PetersMr. Alfred W. PettitMr. & Mrs. Randall B. RentschlerMr. & Mrs. David RohrbachMrs. Jean A. Smith In memory of John W. SmithMrs. Patricia A. SnyderMs. Eugenia SowitzMs. Denise StrohmayrMr. & Mrs. David J. SvensonMs. Elizabeth A. TaylorMr. & Mrs. Ronald L. Tinderman In memory of Mr. Kenneth TindermanMr. & Mrs. Carl E. Trettin In memory of Theodore Z. AaronsVanity Fair OutletMs. Sharon VaughnMr. & Mrs. Clarence F. WrobelMr. Edward YanowskiMr. & Mrs. Stratton P. YatronMr. & Mrs. Aaron N. Zellers

CONTRIBUTORS ($25 – $99)AnonymousMr. & Mrs. Matthew E. BarnhartMr. & Mrs. Donald J. Bickel In memory of Theodore Z. AaronsMs. Irene C. BlattMr. & Mrs. Mark J. Braun Ms. Rachel G. BurketMrs. Patricia J. BuzzardMr. & Mrs. Daniel A. CascianoMs. Lillian ChinniciMs. Helen K. ClogstonMr. Thomas E. ConnorMr. & Mrs. Clair L. Derr, Jr. Mrs. Cassandra EvansMr. & Mrs. Thomas EvansDr. & Mrs. Marc FilsteinMs. Sara S. FlowersMr. & Mrs. John GajewskiMs. Bernice G. GehmanMr. & Mrs. John GoldstanMs. Karen H. GoodMrs. Linda R. GraceMr. Dennis L. HeimbachMr. & Mrs. Scott HirneisenMr. & Mrs. Paul HohMr. Christopher HunsickerMr. William HunsickerMs. Katarzyna JaniszewskiMr. & Mrs. Michael KastenbaumMr. & Mrs. Richard T. KimballMs. Mary B. KreiderMrs. Carole A. Kutscher Dr. & Mrs. Elliott LeisawitzMs. Maria Longo Mr. & Mrs. John C. Lupco, Jr. In memory of Theodore Z. Aarons

Dr. & Mrs. Gerald P. MalickMr. & Mrs. Francis B. MazurkiewiczDr. & Mrs. George M. McCloskey In memory of Theodore Z. AaronsMrs. Gloria A. Moser Ms. Joan T. Neustadter Dr. Robert E. Noga In memory of Theodore Z. AaronsMr. & Mrs. Dennis L. O’BrienMr. & Mrs. Thomas K. PowellReading Monthly Meeting of FriendsMr. & Mrs. Paul S. RittenhouseMs. Stephanie Kay RothMrs. Nancee Ryan Ms. Janet H. Schlegel Mr. Matthew T. SchrumMr. & Mrs. Willard F. SmithMr. & Mrs. Richard F. SpittlerMs. Rebecca E. Straus Mr. & Mrs. David J. Svenson In memory of Theodore Z. AaronsTrinity Lutheran ChurchMrs. Jenny L. Zehner

CONTRIBUTORS ($1 – $24)Ms. Doris M. FraserMs. Janet L. MooreMs. Nina QuagliaMr. & Mrs. Alvin F. Seyler, Jr.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSBerks Community Television (BCTV)Berks Connections Pretrial ServicesBerks County Community FoundationBerks County Workforce Development BoardCentro HispanoCovenant ChurchDoubleTree by HiltonEl Portico ChurchGoodwill Keystone AreaGreater Reading Chamber of Commerce and IndustryGreater Reading Immigration ProjectImmanuel United Church of ChristJimmie Kramer’s Peanut Bar Literacy Coalition of Central TexasMany Rivers Learning CenterMi Casa Su CasaMother Veronica Resource CenterMuhlenberg Community LibraryMuhlenberg Elementary CenterPennsylvania Area Health Education Center (AHEC)Pennsylvania Association of Adult and Continuing Education (PAACE)Pennsylvania CareerLink, Berks CountyPenn State BerksPenn State Hershey, St. JosephPitney BowesReading Area Community CollegeReading Berks Conference of Churches

Reading Elderly HousingReading Fightin PhilsReading Health SystemReading Muhlenberg Career and Technology CenterReading Public LibraryReading School DistrictSalvation ArmySt. Margaret’s SchoolTrinity Lutheran Church, ReadingTutors of Literacy in the Commonwealth (TLC)United Community ServicesUnited Way of Berks CountyWisdom 31YMCA of Reading

READERS WIN! CLASSROOM SPONSORSDr. Joel CavesMs. Janet C. ClemmerMr. Robert K. FleckMs. Bernice G. GehmanMr. & Mrs. Nicholas GiardielloMr. Matthew GoldstanMr. Darryl S. JeffriesMr. Steven KeiserMr. & Mrs. Jonathan F. MeterRob & Wendy Rio – Party Stars DJMr. & Mrs. David J. SvensonTrinity Lutheran ChurchMs. Janice Weaver

COPS ‘N KIDS CONTRIBUTIONSIN MEMORY OF HERB WACHSMs. Harriet M. BaskinMr. & Mrs. Martin B. BeckermanMr. & Mrs. Ronald J. BermanMrs. Shirley K. BoscovMr. & Mrs. Donald C. BristolMr. & Mrs. Eugene H. BrownMs. Suzanne Brubaker WeaverMr. & Mrs. Michael A. BudinMrs. Lois E. CohenMr. & Mrs. James T. ConnellyMs. Judith A. CopelandDr. & Mrs. Jeffrey DribenMr. & Mrs. William FranklinMr. & Mrs. Bernard FrommMs. Davida Fromm & FamilyMs. Austra GaigeMr. & Mrs. Ira GanslerMr. Bernard R. GerberMr. & Mrs. Jeffry GernsheimerMr. & Mrs. Edward F. GoldenMs. Deborah GoodmanMr. & Mrs. Michael E. GordonRichard & Lynda GordonMs. Rachelle GrossM. Thomas GrumbacherMr. & Mrs. Jan K. GubenMs. Roslyn M. Guben

Mr. & Mrs. Terry D. HandMr. & Mrs. Conrad HeismanMs. Diane D. HillMs. Linda W. HodgdonMr. & Mrs. Duncan E. HuffMs. Ruth S. IsenbergMr. Michael KastenbaumMr. Al KatzMr. & Mrs. Donald G. KellyEdwin H. Kershner & Marilyn WademanMr. & Mrs. Douglas L. Krinski Mr. & Mrs. Stephen F. LatmanDr. & Mrs. Elliott LeisawitzMr. & Mrs. Alan D. Liss Mr. & Mrs. Donald E. NolfOffit Kurman Attorneys at LawMr. & Mrs. D. Robert Oppenheimer, Jr.Mr. & Mrs. Michael D. PerilsteinMs. Julie A. Powsner Mr. & Mrs. Thomas D. ReeseSeth & Barbara RosenzweigDr. & Mrs. Larry RotenbergMs. Susan Rundle Mr. & Mrs. Paul Safir Ms. Marilyn F. SalpeterMs. Harriet Saper Mr. & Mrs. Judson SartainMr. Roger Schein Mr. William L. SchruferSenator Judith L. SchwankMs. Norma N. Sigal Ms. Sharon M. Stump Ms. Mary Ellen Swoyer Ms. Joanne C. TammaroMr. & Mrs. Theodore TaroneMs. Mary Diana Tirion M.C. Trippe Ms. Amy White Berger Mrs. Rosalye L. Yashek Dr. & Mrs. Eric B. Zelnick

IN-KIND DONATIONSREADERS WIN! DONATIONSAnonymousAnthony’s TrattoriaBerks LanesBerks PackagingBistro 614Chick-fil-A of ExeterCrowne PlazaDan’s at Green HillsDoubleTree by HiltonEffie’s Charcoal GrillFox TheatersFrank & Diannah’s Arbor InnFriendly’s RestaurantMoe’s Southwest Grill/ExeterOlive Garden Italian RestaurantOutback SteakhouseOutside In Restaurant & BarOzzy’s Sports Fun Center

The following organizations

and individuals made our

programs possible in 2017.

Donations received between

January 1, 2017 and December

31, 2017 are recognized here.

Every effort has been made

to list donors and volunteers

accurately. Please inform the

office of any corrections at

610.670.9960.

Jimmie Kramer’s Peanut BarPhilly PretzelR.M. Palmer CompanyReading Movies 11 + IMAXReading Public MuseumReading Royals HockeyRed Lobster RestaurantSantino’s Family RestaurantSchell’s Mini-GolfStopper’s Great Food & SpiritsThai CuisineThe Bridge InnWal-Mart/TempleWal-Mart/WyomissingYellow House Hotel & Restaurant

BINGO! PRIZE SPONSORSA Taste of ReadingAnita’s BiscottisAnnette Darity Garber Children’s BookBeauty WorksBerks PackingChick-fil-AGanley’s RestaurantGiant MarketsHoneybee Gardens Make-UpIron RootsMister Full Service Car WashMuddy Creek Soap CompanyPagoda GolfReading Country Club GolfReading United SoccerSprecher’s MeatsThe WorksThirty-OneTom Snyder PretzelsWeis MarketsWilliams Family Restaurant

BINGO! VENDOR DONATIONSAvonCocoa ExchangeInspiration BeadsJewelry in CandlesLularoe ClothingMary KayNeriumOrigami OwlPampered ChefPaparazzi JewelryPark Lane JewelryPink ZebraRodin & Fields Skin CareScentsyStylin’ Tea BlendsTastefully SimpleThirty-OneTupperwareUsborne Books & More

THE LITERACY COUNCIL OF READING-BERKS WOULD NOT BE CELEBRATING 49 YEARS OF SUCCESS WITHOUT THE DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT OF OUR GENEROUS DONORS, AMAZING VOLUNTEERS AND HARD-WORKING ADULT LEARNERS.

OUR STUDENTS’ STORIES PROVE THAT BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE IS

POSSIBLE THROUGH LITERACY EDUCATION. THE PASSION OF AHELY AND RANDALL

REFLECTS OUR OWN, AS THEIR TRANSFORMATIONS ARE JUST

A FEW OF THE MANY LIVES THAT OUR BOARD, STAFF,

VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS HAVE IMPACTED.