Annual Report 2016 - 2017

1132 Hamilton Street, Suite 300, Allentown, PA 18101

www.TheLiteracyCenter-LV.org (610) 435-0680

Forty years ago, a dedicated group of local volunteers recognized the growing literacy needs of Lehigh County. Committed to serving this need, they formed The Literacy Center with seed money from the Allentown Area Lutheran Synod and a small, donated classroom space.

Four decades later, with an ever-growing student waiting list and an enrollment of nearly 600 students per year, we can appreciate our founders’ foresight and be proud of the valuable educational services we provide to our students. The Literacy Center continues to help people improve the quality of their lives and the opportunities available to them through GED classes, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, and family literacy initiatives. Through our innovative programs, as well as partnerships with other organizations throughout the community, we offer our students individualized assistance and supportive resources to help them meet their unique educational and professional goals.

This annual report includes highlights from The Literacy Center’s 40th Anniversary Year. Among them, we added a new ESL class, expanded our classroom space, and provided high-quality education for more than 500 ESL and GED students. We are grateful for your partnership during this past year and look forward to another 40 years of helping our students achieve their dreams.

With gratitude,

Avery E. Smith, Esq.

President

Board of Directors Avery E. Smith, Esq., President Alan Salinger, Vice President Betsy Schamberger, Secretary Renae Yeager, CPA, Treasurer Marco Calderon Sam Cohen, Esq. Natalie Dolan Tamara Dolan Nichola Gutgold, Ph.D. Margaret Hadinger, Ed.D. Murtaza Jaffer Robin Kertis A.J. Lemheney, Ed.D. Laurene Ryan Patricia Spaziani Brenda Lyn Truhe Phil Weber Brian Wessner Staff Christine Bauder Mark Blasini David Bowers Emily Brown Holly Derhammer Bernadine Douglas Nancy Ettwein Stephanie Ferguson John Flamisch Robin Flores Solymar Flores Katherine Kelly Gallagher Judit Garger Jennifer Johnson Elias Makkad Michele Orsulak Joan Premecz Brenda Shahpari Marie Shuey Faten Silfies Rebecca Tacca Carol Voit Sandra Wadsworth

At The Literacy Center, we are proud of our grassroots history. Established in 1977 by a small group of Allentown residents concerned with the plight of area adults who were being held back in life due to illiteracy, The Literacy Center has provided community-based literacy instruction without charge to more than 27,500 students from nearly every country in the world over its 40-year span.

From humble beginnings in a small donated space and seed money from the Allentown Area Lutheran Synod, the Center was originally known as the Allentown Literacy Council. From an initial group of four community volunteers, the group developed a corps of trained volunteer tutors so that English could be taught to adults on a one-to-one basis.

Dr. Linda V. McCrossan, hired as the first executive director of the Allentown Literacy Council in 1977, served in that position for 29 years until her retirement in 2006. W. Warren Armstrong, a dedicated community leader, served as the first president of the board of directors. Mr. Armstrong passed away on March 17, 2017, and we extend bountiful condolences to his family.

In 1984, the Allentown Literacy Council established itself as an independent nonprofit organization. In 2008, we re-branded our identity, officially changing our name to The Literacy Center.

Today, The Literacy Center employees 25 full- and part-time employees, the majority of whom hold a master’s degree. We have more than 40 dedicated volunteers who contribute their time and expertise to our operations. This year, we expanded our number of classrooms from six to ten. We also provide a state-of-the-art computer lab and a family reading room for our students.

The Literacy Center is recognized as a leader in adult education programs. Our students met or exceeded all Pennsylvania Department of Education benchmarks for Educational Functioning Level (EFL) gains. Out of the 53 literacy centers funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, The Literacy Center is ranked #2 in all instruction for agencies serving more than 300 students, #2 in ESL beginner instruction, and #3 in civics instruction.

The Literacy Center reaches a significant number of immigrants and refugees who are motivated to build upon their literacy and English language skills so that their families can thrive in the United States. Adult student applicants in 2016 represented 57 countries of origin and 28 different home languages.

ESL Program Impact

Students met or exceeded all Pennsylvania Department of Education benchmarks for Educational Functioning Level (EFL) gains.

The Literacy Center offers 11 ESL classes. This year, we added one additional beginning ESL class to meet unique

learning needs of our students.

The Literacy Center had the honor of providing ESL instruction to 382 students this year. Our ESL students represented 46 countries and spoke 24 native languages! About three quarters of our ESL students were Hispanic. More than half of our ESL students this year (58%) were employed. About half of our ESL students had children and 76% were female heads of household.

Percent of Literacy Center

Students with Educational

Functioning Level (EFL) Gains

Pennsylvania

Department of

Education Benchmark

ESL Beginning Literacy 100% 50%

ESL Low Beginning 93% 56%

ESL High Beginning 76% 60%

ESL Low Intermediate 63% 48%

ESL High Intermediate 81% 46%

ESL Advanced 68% 30%

GED Program Impact

To earn a GED, students must pass four subject tests: Reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. Of our 128 students, 34 (27%) passed all four GED tests and thus graduated. A total of 188 GED tests were passed by The Literacy Center’s GED

students. In addition, our students met or exceeded all Pennsylvania Department of Education benchmarks for Educational Functioning Level (EFL) gains.

Percent of Literacy Center

Students with Educational

Functioning Level (EFL) Gains

Pennsylvania

Department of

Education Benchmark

ABE Beginning 70% 48%

ABE Low Intermediate 68% 45%

ABE High Intermediate 56% 38%

Low Adult Secondary Ed. 56% 41%

The Literacy Center supported 128 students as they worked toward completing their high school equivalency diploma (GED). Our students represented 16 countries and spoke six native languages! More than half of our GED students were a female head of household. More than half of our GED students (58%) were employed. One-third of our GED students are interested in pursuing higher education after they obtain their GED.

Say YES to Success!

The Literacy Center’s YES (Young Empowered Student) program supports youth aged 17 to 24 who have dropped out of high schools in Lehigh County to obtain their GED. This year, 78 students participated in this program. Forty (40) YES students passed at least one official GED test. Of our 78 students, 24 (31%) of all enrolled students and 40% of students who completed at least 15 hours) passed all four GED tests and thus graduated. To date, there have been 146 YES students and of these 47 (32%) have obtained their GED.

The Literacy Center launched its family literacy initiative to encourage and support parents in their roles as their children’s first and most important teacher. We organized several summer reading events in partnership with the Allentown Public Library, Communities in Schools of the Lehigh Valley, the Allentown School District, and Christ Lutheran Church Allentown Leadership Academy. Many families, including 354 children, participated in these events. The school-age children who participated were students at Central, Cleveland, Dodd, Jefferson, McKinley, Roosevelt, and Union Terrace elementary schools as well as Raub Middle School. The Literacy Center distributed about 400 books and 100 magazines to families so that they could start or grow their home library.

More than half of The Literacy Center’s GED and ESL students are employed. This year, our students worked for variety of employers including Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network, Bosch Rexroth, FedEx. C&S Wholesalers, the Renaissance Hotel, Mack Trucks, DHL Logistics, Home Depot, Gold’s Gym, Advanced Auto Parts, Amazon, Forman Mills, and Walmart as well as several local, small businesses. Many of our students come to The Literacy Center with an interest in changing or expanding their professional role. Our staff helps students learn how to identify career opportunities, develop professional goals, search for jobs, complete job applications, and prepare resumes. In addition, The Literacy Center is developing partnerships with local companies to better meet the literacy needs of employers in Lehigh County. Our staff also helps students obtain their educational goals. We help them learn how to develop academic goals, identify educational opportunities, and complete application and financial aid paperwork. For those students who are immigrants, we also assist students with citizenship applications and preparing for citizenship tests. These services were provided to 45 students through one-on-one sessions.

In the photo to the left, two of The Literacy Center’s students prepare for our 2017 graduation ceremony. See the next page for more details about this event!

A graduation ceremony for the class of 2017 was held on June 13, 2017 at Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 Hamilton Street, in Allentown. We celebrated the achievement of 26 ESL graduates and 32 high school equivalency diploma (GED) graduates. We are so proud of our students’ achievements!

The class of 2017 represented 57 different

countries

Source: Amcharts.com

Each year, The Literacy Center organizes a unique event called Faces of Literacy. Faces of Literacy is a photographic exhibition featuring the work of professional photographer, and board member, Marco Calderon. Each photo and story illustrates how improved literacy skills influence lives, strengthen families, build communities, and inspire community involvement. On Tuesday, October 4, 2016, about 80 of our friends and supporters gathered to honor three of our exceptional students.

Tiffany Soto, to the left, enrolled in the medical assistant program at Lincoln technical Institute after earning her GED with help from The Literacy Center.

Eleana Turcios, a former ESL student at The Literacy Center, is now the proud owner of her own business – ECT Painting.

David Zinni, in the photo above, earned his GED after taking classes at The Literacy Center. He subsequently earned an associates degree from Lehigh Carbon Community College and obtained a job as Program Coordinator at the Allentown Rescue Mission.

Photo: Marco Calderon

Photo: Marco Calderon

Through a civics grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, The Literacy Center helps students complete citizenship applications and prepare for their citizenship exam. Twelve of our students became U.S. citizens this year.

Gerson Ortiz was honored as the recipient of the 2017 Linda V. McCrossan Achievement Award at our graduation ceremony. This award, established in 2008 to honor our first executive director, is given to one student each year who embodies the motivation and tenacity to improve their lives through literacy. A former ESL student at The Literacy Center, Gerson’s work as a karate instructor has been recognized by state and national awards.

The Literacy Center celebrated its 40th anniversary with a luncheon at Penn State Lehigh Valley. Approximately 100 friends of The Literacy Center gathered for this event. Ellen Kern, Chief of Staff for Senator Pat Browne, presented The Literacy Center with a Senatorial proclamation. An invocation was given by Rabbi Seth Phillips of Congregation Keneseth Israel. Nichola Gutgold, Ph.D., presented Linda Armstrong with a special gift in honor of her late husband and The Literacy Center’s first board president, W. Warren Armstrong.

Yasmine Mustafa delivered an inspiring speech, “Your Birth Lottery Does Not Define You.” An immigrant from Kuwait who grew up working in her father’s franchise, she has started several tech companies and volunteers to help girls learn coding.

Guests enjoyed a special 40th anniversary slideshow created by board member of The Literacy Center and professional photographer Marco Calderon.

Photo: Marco Calderon

The Literati Society is a unique group of donors who demonstrate a commitment to The Literacy Center’s mission through a significant, unrestricted contribution. We are grateful to The Literati Society for their generous support this year!

Platinum - $1500 or more Michael Berkman Alfonso DiCarlo Robert and Susan Grey Robert and Sandy Lovett Dave and MaryAnn Przekurat Laurene Ryan Betsy and Patrick Schamberger Brenda Shahpari Brenda Lyn Truhe Renae and Matt Yeager Gold - $1000 – 1499 George and Judith Arangio Foundation Dennis Arends Lois Brong Miller Robin Flores and John Flamisch Hall Family Charitable Fund A.J. Lemheney, Ed.D. and David G. Sommers Peter and Sallie Smith Philip and Maryann Weber

Silver - $750 – 999 Thomas and Joanne Stathos Philip R. Taylor Bronze - $500 – 749 J. Scott and Kay Armstrong The Hon. Alan and Donna Black Patricia Chase Denim for a Difference (PPL) Tamara and Ron Dolan Natalie and Greg Dolan John Fagan Atty. Malcolm J. and Janet Gross Diane Jones Atty. Anthony and Sara Muir Alan and Mary Salinger Atty. Avery Smith Patricia Spaziani Janice M. Woods

The Literacy Center is grateful for the support of many local companies, foundations, government agencies, and individuals who gave financial and in kind contributions, including:

Act 1 Productions at DeSales University

Air Products Foundation

City of Allentown

Allentown Municipal Golf Course

Allentown Symphony Orchestra

Marlene Ambrogio

America on Wheels

Ashley Anderson

Dr. Karen and Michael Angello

Anonymous

George and Judith Arangio Foundation

Dennis Arends

J. Scott and Kay Armstrong

Kathy Armstrong and Christopher Gillis

W. Warren and Linda Armstrong

BB&T

BJ’s Wholesale Club

Bach Choir of Bethlehem

The Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation

Walter and Alma Bastian Fund

Constance and Carl Bateman

Christine Bauder

Becky’s Drive-In Theatre/Cindy Deppe

Kay Beers

Constantine and Judith Belaires

Kathleen Belinski

Michael Berkman

Best Western Gettysburg

The Hon. Alan and Donna Black

Barbara Bottitta/Keller Williams Real Estate

Marc Brinker, CPA

Clarence and Lisbeth Brommer

Lois Brong Miller

Marlene Brown

The Hon. Patrick M. Browne

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Butler

CORL Communications (Employees)

Campbell, Rappold & Yurasits LLP

Verna O. Canova Foundation

The Century Fund

Patricia Chase

Audrey Cherney

Gayle Cichocki

Civic Theatre of Allentown

Atty. Martin Cohen

Comfort Suites University

Osvaldo Cordova

Corporate Environments

Constance Cowen

Crayola

Dan’s Camera City

DaVinci Science Center

Delicioso Pizza and Subs

Denim for a Difference (PPL)

Cynthia Deppe

Holly Derhammer

Ruth and Walter Dex

Alfonso DiCarlo

Jean E. DiFebo

Kathryn K. Dixon

Natalie and Greg Dolan

Tamara and Ron Dolan

Dollar General Literacy Foundation

The Donley Foundation

Ron and Karen Duh

Ronald Emery

Karen Ennis

Dr. Mark and Lin Erickson

Renita Esayian

John Fagan

Amy Faivre and Martin Edwards

Dr. Lona M. Farr and Rev. David V. Voellinger

Fashion Forward Consulting/Lynn Anne Yori

Stephanie Ferguson

John and Maureen Fernbacher

Lori Fields

Flexicon Massage Therapy

Robin Flores and John Flamisch

Solymar Flores

Harriette Fogarty

James Foster, Jr.

James R. Frick

GGA Global Advertising

Katherine Gallagher

Mish Ganssle

Rev. Richard G. and Patricia Gardner

Judit Garger

Giant Food Stores

Lauren and Marc Giguere

Leonard and Rhonda Glazier

Sam Glickman

JoAnne Gori

Rebecca and Richard Gorton

Jim and Mary Lou Green

Lynn Green

Patricia Greenawald

Robert and Susan Grey

Atty. Malcolm J. and Janet Gross

Dale and Alice Grove

Leona Gruber Charitable Trust

Dr. Nichola and Geoff Gutgold

Heather Haas

Margaret Hadinger, Ed.D.

Hall Family Charitable Fund

Roy Hamlin

Linda Harris

Ronald Hartman

James Hauser

Rachael Hay

Jodiann and Jeffrey Heck

Annette Heffelfinger

Charles Hoch Foundation

Arthur Hochhauser

David D. Hoffman

Hook Seafood & Grille

Hospital Central Services, Inc.

Jane Hudak

The Fred J. Jaindl Family Foundation

Margaret Jeffery

JetPay

Mark and Lisa Johnson

Diane Jones

Sharon Jones

Just Born, Inc.

K12 Systems, Inc.

Peggy Kane

Michelle Kaschak

David and Sally Keehn

Eileen Kelliher

Kennedy Information Services/Terrance Kennedy

Robin Kertis

Keystone Savings Foundation

King Spry Herman Freund & Faul LLC

Don and Maxine Klein

Maj. Nathan Kline, USAF Ret.

Suzanne Kratzer

Ernest and Nancy Krepelka

Lynda Krumpholz

Connie Kubisch

Kuhnsville Car Wash

Martin and Elizabeth Landau

Sam and Kathryn Laposata

Maureen Lasek

County of Lehigh

Lehigh Valley Community Foundation

Lehigh Valley Health Network

Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs

A.J. Lemheney, Ed.D. and David G. Sommers

Dawn Lennon

Dr. Lawrence and Eva Levitt

Liberty Bell Museum

Margaret Lloyd

Linda Lohman

Longwood Gardens

Louie’s Restaurant

Robert and Sandy Lovett

Christopher Luczkowiak

Corinne Machmer

Elias Makkad

Manito Equestrian Center

Marco Calderon Photography

Charles and Ruth Marcon

Marlene’s Piñatas

Rev. William and Linda Maxon

Jeffrey and Christine McConnell

Michael McGinnis

Marcy McKinney

Kevin and Kerry McNeill

Amy Meleck and Peter Wrenn-Meleck

The Melting Pot

Joan Miller

David A. Miller II

Mission BBQ

Georg and Mary Ellen Mittermeier and family

Simon Molloy

Aida Montalvo-Nunez

The Morning Call

Morning Circle Media

Dr. Alan and Judy Morrison

Muhlenberg College Department of Theater and Dance

Muhlenberg College Wescoe School of Continuing Education

Atty. Anthony and Sara Muir

National Liberty Museum

National Museum of Industrial History

Peter Oswald

PPL Electric Utilities

PPL Employees/Denim for a Difference

Panera Bread

Penn State Lehigh Valley

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Sylvia Perkin Charitable Trust

Michele Pessina

Robert L. Phillips

Rabbi Seth Phillips

Carissa A. Pokorny-Golden

Dave and MaryAnn Przekurat

RC Moore Vintage Clothing

RJ Foundation

Judith A. Rance-Roney

Christine and Daniel Rappaport

Reading Fightin’ Phils

Reidler Foundation

Russell and Nancy Reigel

Liana Reynolds

The Rider-Pool Foundation

Ringer’s Roost

Robert Knox Consulting, Inc.

Linda and Michael Rosenfeld

Drs. Richard and Kerri Ruck

Frederick and Martha Rummel

The Ryan Family Foundation

Laurene Ryan

Alan and Mary Salinger

James Santanasto

Monica Santos-Narvaez

Betsy and Patrick Schamberger

Greg Scully

Seasons Olive Oil and Vinegar Taproom

Brenda Shahpari

Lynn Shelly

Lee Simpson

Andrea Smith

Atty. Avery Smith

Peter and Sallie Smith

Susan J. Smith

Jamie Snellman

Jessie Snyder

Patricia Spaziani

State Theatre Center for the Arts

Thomas and Joanne Stathos

Edna Strobel

Gloria Sturzenacker

TJX Foundation, Inc.

John and Rebecca Tacca

Atty. Quintes and Cynthia Taglioli

Philip R. Taylor

The Ruth and Vernon Taylor Foundation

Ralph and Doris Todd

Harry C. Trexler Trust

Valerie A. Tripp

Brenda Lyn Truhe

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley

Upside Allentown

Visions Hair and Nail Salon

Diane Vottero

Constance Walker

Philip and Maryann Weber

Wells Fargo Foundation

Robert Weinert, Esq.

Arthur and Barbara Weinrach

Marc D. Wenger

Brian Wessner

Sharla Whalen

Bill and Jane White

Matthew Wicoff

Susan Wiley

Daniel J. and Carol Shiner Wilson

James and Linda Wimmer

Women United®

Janice M. Woods

Kimberley Woods

Working Dog Press

Connie Yaqub

Lisa Yeager

Renae and Matt Yeager

Youell’s Oyster House

Patricia Zajac

Diane Zanetti

Many other friends of The Literacy Center made a gift in recognition of someone special.

The Literacy Center lost a true friend this year. W. Warren Armstrong was our first board president and a champion for literacy in the Lehigh Valley. Many people honored his life and memory with a generous gift to The Literacy Center:

J. Scott and Kay Armstrong

Kathy Armstrong and Christopher Gillis

Constance and Carl Bateman

Christine Bauder

Barbara Bottitta/Keller Williams Real Estate

Marlene Brown

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Butler

CORL Communications (Employees)

Renita Esayian

Robin Flores and John Flamisch

James Foster

Margaret Jeffery

Ernest and Nancy Krepelka

Margaret Lloyd

Michael McGinnis

Amy Meleck and Peter Wrenn-Meleck

David A. Miller III

Linda and Michael Rosenfeld

Edna Strobel

Ralph and Doris Todd

Robert Weinert, Esq.

Arthur and Barbara Weinrach

In memory of Richard Cowen

From Constance Cowen

In memory of Alice and William Beck

From Cynthia Deppe

In honor of MaryAnn Przekurat

From Janice M. Woods

In memory of Jerome Salinger

From Georg and Mary Ellen Mittermeier and family

In memory of Peter and Jackie Woods

From Kimberley Woods

In honor of Nathan Engle

From Jamie Snellman

Samir Ahmad

Marlene Ambrogio

John Baker

Amy Barnett

Mike Bodnar

Ricki Bonn

David Bowers

Lynn Bradshaw

Gayle Cichocki

Beverly Curtis

Julie Davitt

Yanting Dong

Nancy Dorais

Maura Dugan

Janice Eickmeier

John Fagan

Lori Field

Nadia Guaman

Maryann Guro

Roger Jeffery

Dr. Steven Kanoff

Wassim al Kassar

Ralph Kemmerer

Paul Kita

Monika Klar

Heather Krey

William Landauer

Bruce Miller

Judith Morrison

Steve Morth

Ana Perez

Wally Pimental

Dorothy Sechler

Corey Seibert

Lynn Shelly

Faten Silfies

Lee Simpson

Jessie Snyder

Ronald Stauffer

Varee Var

Sandy Wadsworth

Sharla Whalen

Patricia Zajac

Our Board of Directors

Avery E. Smith, Esq., President

Alan Salinger, Vice President

Betsy Schamberger, Secretary

Renae Yeager, CPA, Treasurer

Marco Calderon

Sam Cohen, Esq.

Natalie Dolan

Tamara Dolan

Nichola Gutgold, Ph.D.

Margaret Hadinger, Ed.D.

Murtaza Jaffer

Robin Kertis

A.J. Lemheney, Ed.D.

Laurene Ryan

Patricia Spaziani

Brenda Lyn Truhe

Phil Weber

Brian Wessner

The Literacy Center is grateful to all of our dedicated volunteers. Volunteers help The Literacy Center by providing one-on-one tutoring to students, assisting in the classroom, helping to organize events, and serving on our board of directors. We wouldn’t be able to help our students achieve their goals without our volunteers!

June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016

Assets

Cash and Cash Equivalents $214,602 $122,241

Investments 162,143 154,380

Accounts Receivable 4,917 23,757

Inventory - 3,366

Prepaid Expenses 10,810 15,175

Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, Net

54,777 62,457

Total Assets $447,249 $381,376

Liabilities and Net Assets

Liabilities

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

44,537 39,979

Deferred Revenue 960 960

Lease Payable 5,384 971

Total Liabilities 50,881 41,910

Net Assets

Unrestricted 383,668 339,466

Temporarily Restricted 12,700 -

Total Net Assets 396,368 339,466

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $447,249 $381,376

Audited by Campbell, Rappold, & Yurasits LLP

The Literacy Center is a 501(c)(3) organization. The official registration and financial information of The Literacy Center may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll

free within Pennsylvania, (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Year Ended June 30, 2017

Operating Revenues, Gains, and Other Support

Grants and Community Contributions $372,078

Contributed Services and Other In-Kinds 92,580

Governmental Grants 421,686

Service Revenue and Other 1,127

Special Events 23,573

Total Revenues, Gains, and Other Support 911,044

Operating Expenses

Program 708,226

Management and General 95,226

Fundraising 62,811

Total Expenses 866,263

Change in Net Assets from Operations 44,781

Other Changes in Net Assets

Contributions Restricted for Capital Improvements 12,700

Investment Income 4,979

Net Realized/Unrealizesd Gain on Investments 2,784

Loss on Disposal of Fixed Assets (8,342)

Total Other Changes 12,121

Increase in Net Assets 56,902

Net Assets at Beginning of Year 339,466

Net Assets at End of Year 396,368

Audited by Campbell, Rappold, & Yurasits LLP