Literacy Advance - Celebrating 50 years of Literacy!

Celebrating 50 Years of Literacy

{ 2424 Wilcrest, Suite 120 Houston, Texas 77042 }
{ phone 713.266.8777 }

{ www.literacyadvance.org }

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A United Way agency since 1983.

Heartfelt thanks to our top funders, past and present – Literacy Advance wouldn’t be where it is today without your support!

Action Literacy Project, AIG SunAmerica, Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation, American Express, Anheuser Busch, B Dalton,
Bank of America, Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, Black Elk Energy, BMC Software, BrandExtract,
Cameron, CDM Resource Management LLC, CenterPoint Energy, Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Charity Guild of Catholic Women, Chevron Corporation,
ClubCorp Charities, Inc., Comcast, Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Consolidated Cable Solutions, Dollar General Literacy Foundation,

EOG Resources, Even Start, ExxonMobil Matching Gifts Program, First Junior Woman’s Club of Houston, The Frees Foundation, Gannet Foundation,
George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation, Halliburton, The Hamill Foundation, Harry S. & Isabel C. Cameron Foundation,

H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Houston Astros, Houston Center for Literacy, Houston Endowment, Inc., Houston Foundation, Houston Texans Foundation,
INTEC Communications, Image Resources Group, John P. McGovern Foundation, Kappa Kappa Gamma, LITMUS Consulting, LyondellBasell,
Marathon Oil Corporation, The Melbern G. and Susanne M. Glasscock Foundation, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church,

Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, Memorial Drive United Methodist Women, Nancy D. Palm Trust, Noble Energy, Inc., Office Effects, Inc., OSIsoft, LLC,
Phillips 66, Pinnacle Financial Strategies, Plains All American, The Powell Foundation, Rockwell Fund, Inc., The Simmons Foundation, Spindletop Charities, Inc.,

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, State Farm, Strake Foundation, Stuart PC, Swalm Foundation, Taxis Fiesta/Yellow Cab, Tina E. Bangs Foundation,
Tony’s Prostate Cancer Research, United Way Family Involvement & Engagement Program, United Way of Greater Houston, United Way THRIVE,
Universal Weather & Aviation, The Vale-Asche Foundation, Valence Operating Company, Valiant Exploration, Wayne Duddlesten Foundation,
Wells Fargo Foundation, Whataburger, White Oak Energy, White Oak Gives Back, Inc.

Thanks also to the many other corporate, foundation, and individual donors who have supported Literacy Advance over the past 50 years!

Dear Friend of Literacy Advance,

It is inspiring to have 50 years of history, success, and stories to guide the
future of Literacy Advance. In 1964, Literacy Advance started with a volunteer
tutor and five students around a table. The dream was the same then as it is
today: A Houston where every adult has the literacy skills to thrive and to live
up to their full potential. Because of you, Literacy Advance has grown from that
one table to become a highly respected organization serving over 1,500 adults
per year at 25 locations across Houston. Yet, even today, the classroom is still
made up of a table, a volunteer tutor, and eager students.

It is humbling to head an organization where volunteers put in such
extraordinary amounts of time and energy serving others to make Houston
a better community. A tutor will, on average, put in around 80 hours of time
preparing for, driving to, and presenting classes each class session. I cannot
think of another organization that has 300 – 350 volunteers who consistently
put forth this type of effort.

It is joyful to witness volunteers, companies, foundations, and philanthropic-
minded people come together to tackle one of the biggest crises in Houston.
Not only is an adult learner’s life transformed, but their entire family tree is
transformed for generations to come. Looking forward to years 51+ we see
Literacy Advance continuing to reach more students, impact more lives, and
transform entire communities.

You permanently transform lives! Thank you!

Joe Wappelhorst,
Executive Director

The 1960s: The beginning...

A Grassroots Need

In October 1963, the Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce sponsored a
conference focused on educational issues in Harris County. Community members
gathered to discuss a variety of educational topics, such as high school drop-
out rates, early childhood education, and other literacy-related problems. Many
issues were discussed, but to three community members, one issue – adult
literacy – clearly stood out as the most important.

Ms. Annabelle (Ann) Harp, Mr. Richard (Dick) Whittington, and Ms. Peggy Jarmon
met for the first time on that day in 1963 and soon decided to work together
to tackle the illiteracy crisis in Houston. Operating under the name “Houston
Literacy Council,” the group began their grassroots effort to help Houston
adults read and write. Their strategy was simple: Recruit and train committed
volunteers to share their knowledge in a welcoming and informal setting.

Ann Harp began training volunteer tutors in the Laubach Literacy method in
November 1963. The first tutor training was held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church
in north-east Houston and was attended by 30 community members from all
walks of life – including doctors, warehousemen, mailmen, and housewives, all
interested in getting involved (an early training is pictured at top left).

In early 1964, classes for Latin-American residents of Houston began at the Christ
Redeemer Church. Ms. Dorothy McClinton (photo at left) was the organization’s
first active volunteer tutor – teaching a small class of five Spanish-speaking
students basic reading and writing using the Laubach methodology. Dorothy
would go on to be involved with the organization for the next 20 years as a
volunteer, tutor trainer, and board member.

The Houston Literacy Council, Inc. was chartered as a tax exempt organization
on December 18, 1964. Dick Whittington, Ann Harp, and Jo Moore signed its
Articles of Incorporation. Volunteer tutors and students were recruited through
newspaper advertisements, radio announcements, and the Texas Employment

1 Commission. Classes were held at local churches and community centers

throughout the city. By 1966, the Houston Literacy Council had expanded other local literacy organizations had formed to help tackle low literacy
to 15 centers across Houston and enrolled 300 adult learners annually. in the outskirts of Houston. In August 1969, four of these – the Bay
Ann Harp was the champion of early efforts, using her own funds to Area Literacy Council, Galveston Literacy Council, Pasadena Literacy
purchase letterhead, stamps, and materials for the Council, substituting as Council, and the Houston Literacy Council – combined forces and
needed, and coordinating all classes, tutors, and students. Explaining why merged into one entity, operating under the name “Bay Area Literacy
adult education was so important to her, Ann Harp said: Council”. The restructured council included representatives from all
areas of Houston and from the four formerly independent councils.
“The average citizen doesn’t realize how
serious this problem is because adults who Mrs. Bernice Smith became the first President of the Bay Area Literacy
can’t read are ashamed and use all kinds Council Board of Directors when the groups merged. Bernice attended
of gimmicks to hide the fact. Illiteracy is so the first ever National Affiliation for Literacy Advance (NALA) conference
widespread and its curse has made illiterates in St. Louis, Missouri in 1969 to share ideas with other groups involved
an easy target for the shady businessman.” in Laubach training throughout the country. There she met Dr. Frank
Laubach, the creator of the Laubach method (photo below, at right)
During the 1960s, an estimated 57,000 adults in Houston were considered and became an officer of the NALA. Bernice’s granddaughter is pictured
functionally illiterate, around 6% of the population at that time. By 1968, helping at an early class, below left.

2

1960s October 1963 November 1964

Eventual founders meet Articles of Incorporation
for then-named
at education conference “Houston Literacy
Council” signed
in Harris County

Above: Annabelle Harp and Richard Whittington,
who founded the Houston Literacy Council in 1964.

Above right: Fred Morris, Robert Laubach, Priscilla Gipson,
and Bernice Smith meet at the first National Affiliation for
Literacy Advance (NALA) conference in St. Louis, MO in 1969.

Right: A 1968 headline from Pasadena newspaper,
“The News Citizen,” announcing the formation of

3 a third literacy council in the area.

December 1964 December 1964 1968 1969

Organized tutoring for Houston Literacy Three other local Four local literacy councils
Spanish-speaking adults
begins at Church of the Council receives tax literacy councils form, in merge and begin operating

Redeemer exempt status the Bay Area, Pasadena, under the name “Bay Area

“ and Galveston Literacy Council”

Our corporation pays bigger “
dividends than giant companies.
Human dignity is worth a lot.
– Ann Harp, 1966

Far left: Dr. Frank Laubach,
who founded Laubach
Literacy. The Laubach method
was the primary curriculum
used by the various literacy
councils around Houston in
the 1960s and is still widely
used today.

Left: Three tutors and five
English as a Second Language
(ESL) students meet for class
in February 1969.

4

Literacy Advance in the 1970s and early 1980s...

“Kitchen Table Learning”

In 1970, Bernice Smith was elected Vice President of the National Affiliation
for Literacy Advance (NALA) and became an advocate in the national literacy
movement (photo of NALA Board meeting in 1970 on facing page). She
continued to serve as the Bay Area Literacy Council president until 1974 and
was instrumental in keeping the organization – which at the time had no paid
staff members – afloat during the 1970s.

Operations for the Bay Area Literacy Council in the early 1970s were run from
Bernice’s home and from the office where she worked as a secretary. She was the
Council’s Master Tutor Trainer, and led the organization’s volunteer recruitment
and training efforts (photo at top left). Bernice also developed new literacy
centers at local churches and community centers, implemented new programs
such as childhood literacy activities (photo at bottom left), and wrote pieces for
local newspapers (facing page) to spread the word about the work of the Bay
Area Literacy Council. Speaking later about that time in her life, Bernice said:

“I found working with people in need
to be most rewarding. There is so much
to be done that I have never had to find the

jobs – they have always found me.”

During the 1970s, the Bay Area Literacy Council continued to hold classes
throughout Houston at various churches and community centers. In 1975, the
council moved into its first official office space on Richmond Avenue. However,
the organization’s name was often a source of confusion, since they had retained
the “Bay Area” name after the merger in 1969 but were now operating across
Houston. So, in 1976, the board re-named the organization “Literacy Advance
of Houston,” in an effort to make the group’s widespread reach across the city

5 more obvious to learners, volunteers, and the wider community.

In addition to changing the organization’s name, the board made several other updates in
the 1970s, including the addition of formal by-laws and policies to govern Literacy Advance’s
board and activities. The board structure became more formalized, term limits were added,
and specific contacts for each literacy center were identified.
In 1979, Constance (Connie) Riddle was elected as Literacy Advance’s Board President. In
the three years following her appointment, Literacy Advance began transitioning into more
formal operations. An official logo was created (see next page) and Adult Basic Education
programs were added after the expiration of a federal grant supporting the Right to Read
grant program at Houston Community College. The organization had found its feet and was
positioned for a new era of growth.

6

1917908s0&searly 1970 1976

Bernice Smith elected Bay Area Literacy Council
Vice President of the
National Affiliation for re-named “Literacy

Literacy Advance Advance of Houston”

Above: Connie Riddle teaches Above: A map displays the 13 locations where Literacy Advance classes
an English as a Second Language were held in 1981. At this time, the organization did not have classroom space
class using the Laubach method
at its offices, and all classes were held at churches and community centers
in the early 1970s. In 1979 across the city. Locations were called “Laubach ESOL (English for Speakers
Connie was elected Board
of Other Languages) Centers” and each site was managed by the main
President. volunteer tutor at each campus.

Right: Literacy Advance’s
first logo, created in 1980,
represented the organization

from 1980 to 1990.

7

1979 1980 1981 1982

Connie Riddle elected First official logo Classes expand to 13 First Adult Basic

Literacy Advance’s created for Literacy community center and Education classes

Board President Advance church locations begin for native English
“ speakers
It made me feel good about “
myself. I felt like I had given
them a part of me. I benefited
as much as they did.
– Volunteer tutor Jennifer Garza, 1983

Top left: Charlesetta Alston, Frank
Laubach, Bernice Smith, and Robert
Laubach attend the 1970 NALA
Conference in Cedarmore, Kentucky.

Far left: 1971 copies of teacher (blue) and
student (yellow) handbooks written by
tutor Susan Abbott. Handbooks focused
on Laubach’s teaching methods.

Left: Master Tutor Trainer Susan Abbott
instructs future tutors at a
tutor training workshop.

8

Literacy Advance in the late 1980s...

A National Movement

Literacy began to gain national attention in the 1980s. The US Department of
Education was founded in 1979 and began distributing block grants to the states
to expand education programming. Although Literacy Advance did not seek
funding of this type, this emphasis on literacy on a national scale helped raise
awareness for the cause and for the organization’s activities.

In 1983, Literacy Advance received funding from the United Way of the Texas
Gulf Coast (now the United Way of Greater Houston) for the first time. This was
Literacy Advance’s first major source of funding, allowing the agency to hire its
first paid staff member – a Volunteer Coordinator. Two years later, Connie Riddle
(photo at bottom left), who had served as the president of the board since 1979,
was hired to serve as the group’s first paid Executive Director. With Connie at the
helm, the organization began more extensive fundraising initiatives – allowing
the group to begin renting permanent classroom space and to hire two part-
time secretaries.

The new funding momentum and Connie’s visionary leadership allowed Literacy
Advance to grow rapidly. In just two years, between 1984 and 1986, Literacy
Advance grew from 25 literacy centers to 60.

Community members from across Houston heard about Literacy Advance and
began to get involved. Tutor Al Earnest, pictured far right on facing page, was
attracted to Literacy Advance because he felt it was a community of “people
helping people.” Another tutor, Addie Kephart, expressed her commitment to
her students thus:

“I don’t care if it takes four years [for them to
make the progress they want].

I’ll be here. I won’t abandon them.”

9

Students who had benefited from the free programs began to want the Texas delegate to the national Student Congress of New Readers
to give back. Mu-Lan Kwan (photo below at left), who moved to the conference in 1987.
United States at 26 years old and had never finished school in her
home country, received help at Literacy Advance, and said: Across the state, other efforts continued to promote the importance
of literacy. In 1984, Mayor Kathy Whitmire established the Houston
“The most important thing is to help READ Commission (now Houston Center for Literacy) to support,
other people learn to read. Because I’m engage, and connect local literacy providers and advocate for literacy
the person who knows how they feel.” as a top priority for the community. In 1989, Texas Adult Literacy
Laubach (now Literacy Texas) was also formed to support statewide
In 1986, Literacy Advance held its first annual Literacy Awareness literacy programs.
Banquet to educate the Houston community about low literacy and to
encourage local action and support. In just one demonstration of the Mrs. Barbara Bush quickly became known as “The First Lady of
increasing reach of the agency and the literacy cause, Literacy Advance Literacy” in 1989 when she established the Barbara Bush Foundation
student John Griser (photo top left on facing page) was chosen as for Family Literacy and began advocating for education throughout
the country. Mrs. Bush wrote a personal letter to one of our students,
Harris Krumholts, to celebrate his successes (letter below).

10

1980s 1983 1985

Above: Adult Basic Education student John Griser writes a Literacy Advance receives Connie Riddle hired as
letter to thank Literacy Advance and the United Way. funding from the United
Literacy Advance’s first
Griser was the Texas delegate at the 1987 Student Congress Way of the Texas Gulf
of New Readers conference held in Pennsylvania. Coast for the first time paid Executive Director

Right: Houston Mayor Kathryn Whitmire (at left) presents “Life can
Literacy Advance tutor Lillian McCurdy with the 1987 Mayor’s be so
wonderful
Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. and beautiful
because I can “
11 now read. I can
now write...
How magic.
– Student Mu-Lan Kwan,

1989

1986 1987 September 1987 1989

Awareness Banquet held Tutor Lillian McCurdy Student John Griser Texas Adult Literacy
receives Mayor’s attends Student Congress Laubach is formed
to educate community of New Readers conference
Award for Outstanding (now Literacy
on adult literacy needs Volunteer Service as Texas delegate Texas)

Top left: English as a Second Language
students write in their workbooks.

Above: Literacy Advance has been a
United Way agency since first receiving
funding in 1983.

Far left: Tutor Mary Ann McElreath
works with Adult Basic Education
student Jerry Davis.

Left: Connie Riddle, Literacy Advance’s
first paid Executive Director, at her desk.

12

Literacy Advance in the 1990s...

A Decade of Growth

During the 1990s, Literacy Advance’s resources, program activities, and staff
numbers grew substantially. In 1990, the agency added an office at the Bay Area
United Way Service Center and expanded services to residents of the Clear Lake/
Pasadena area. A Resource Development Director position was added in 1991.

In that same year, the organization’s first formalized fundraising efforts began –
starting with the “Give Us a Hand” Gala (photo on page 16). This began a decade
of successful event fundraising and awareness building through galas (see more
images on facing page), and Literacy Advance began receiving more extensive
funding support from local foundations and corporate sponsors including
the Houston Endowment, Swalm Foundation, Rockwell Fund, and The Hamill
Foundation.

Under the leadership of Connie Riddle (photo at left) and with a new wave of
supporters, the agency began to thrive. By 1994, the Literacy Advance staff had
expanded to a team of 10. Staff roles were reviewed during this time and revised
to allow for more focused roles and responsibilities. With a dedicated team of
staff and volunteers, Literacy Advance began to expand program offerings to
greater numbers of adults and families in need. Programs developed during the
1990s included: Family Literacy, Music Literacy, Parent Engagement services,
Aid to Mothers, Even Start, Probation Classes, Homeless Classes, Drug Abuse
Classes, and the Extended Family Reading Program. Many of these new services
focused on the prevention of literacy problems, in an attempt to halt the cycle
of low literacy across society.

Long-time Literacy Advance volunteers like Hester Clark (photo on page 15) and
Annella Harrison (pictured in a newspaper article from 1991, facing page below
left) were instrumental to the agency’s growth in the 1990s. Annella had been
involved with Literacy Advance since its inception in 1964, and Hester became
involved in 1982. Hester served as the head tutor trainer for many years,

13 certifying thousands of volunteers in the Laubach method during her 25+ years

with Literacy Advance. In 1991, Annella Harrison developed a taskforce full-scale nonprofit operation. During the 90s, class locations spiked
to educate the Houston community on the need for literacy services, to more than 80 different churches, libraries, multi-service centers,
recruiting new partners, tutors, students, and funders for the agency. elementary schools, early childhood centers, and other nonprofits.
Executive Driector Connie Riddle said of these wonderful women, and This wave of growth laid the foundation for the agency’s future success
the many other devoted volunteers like them: by positioning Literacy Advance as a leader in literacy programs in the
community.
“I want to thank our large group of To capitalize on this extensive period of growth, and to further establish
dedicated volunteers who make all of Literacy Advance’s niche in the community, the Board of Directors
this possible. Without your interest, developed their first strategic plan in 1999 with a clear vision for the
caring and commitment we could not future.
have served the many people we have,

and met their individual needs.
We are deeply grateful.”

By the end of the 1990s, Connie and the agency’s committed volunteers
had transformed Literacy Advance from a grassroots group into a

14

1990s 1990 1990

Literacy Advance adds New logo and tagline
office and classroom
space at the United Way created (see bottom
Bay Area Service Center
right on facing page)

Above: A headline from 1990.
Literacy Advance has had a
continuous presence at the
United Way Bay Area

Service Center since that time.

Right: A family sifts through the
free books offered at the 1999
“Wonderland of Books” event.

Far right: Tutor Hester Clark helps
a student learn to read. Clark was

involved with Literacy Advance
as a tutor, board member, and

15 advocate for over 25 years.

1991 1994 1996 1999

First fundraising dinner, Staff roles re-defined A variety of new First strategic plan for

the “Give us a Hand” with greater focus programs added, the agency implemented

gala, held including Family Literacy

“Our people Left: Literacy Advance’s first
are our most fundraising gala, “Give Us a Hand,”
important celebrated Robert Mosbacher Jr.,
resource. We for his dedication to literacy
must maximize advancement in Houston.
opportunities
for growth, Bottom left: A tutor and Adult
Basic Education student read
together.

Below: A new logo with two
birds is created in 1990 and
represents Literacy Advance for
almost ten years. A new tagline,
“Reading Gives Wings to the
Mind,” is also created.

productivity, “
and dignity for
all Texans.
– Robert Mosbacher Jr., 1991
16

Literacy Advance in the early 2000s...

A New Chapter

In the early 2000s, the agency’s first website went live (screenshot from 2001
facing page, top right), bringing Literacy Advance into a new era of modern
communications.

Also in 2001, two national literacy organizations, Literacy Laubauch Action
and Literacy Volunteers of America, merged to become ProLiteracy America.
This merger expanded the network of literacy providers and created a more
streamlined, united vision for literacy priorities across the United States. The new
national organization began offering opportunities for exceptional providers to
become accredited, and in 2002, Literacy Advance was awarded this designation
for the first time.

Connie Riddle retired in 2002 after 17 years as the Literacy Advance Executive
Director. Connie’s dedicated service as the Executive Director, in addition to the
prior 10+ years as a volunteer, were truly fundamental to the organization’s
success and growth. Following Connie’s retirement, the Board appointed a Blue
Ribbon Committee to review the agency’s curriculum, operations, recruitment,
intake, and evaluation systems. Led by literacy advocate and expert Margaret
Doughty, the committee studied the organization’s programs and assessed the
program accountability as it related to new project development. Speaking
about the aim of the Blue Ribbon Committee, chair Margaret Doughty said:

“The goal is to focus on Literacy Advance’s
important niche in the community and provide
suggestions to help the board in the ongoing

effort of continual improvement.”

After months of thoughtful discussions and review, the Blue Ribbon Committee
presented recommendations to the Literacy Advance Board of Directors who

17 adopted key points into the agency’s 2002 strategic plan. Recommendations

included a more structured system for class management, development
of a data tracking system, a new marketing and volunteer recruitment
plan, re-configured tutor training, and the establishment of yearly
programmatic goals.
With a newfound sense of direction, the Board hired Jane Holston as
the agency’s new Executive Director in 2003. With Jane at the helm
and continued commitment from dedicated voluntees (such as Hester
Clark, bottom right, who volunteered with Literacy Advance for more
than 25 years), Literacy Advance began a new era of accountability
and high-impact programming for adults and families in need.
In 2004, Literacy Advance celebrated its 40th Anniversary. With newly
focused efforts, Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language,
and Family Literacy (photo below at left) became the agency’s three
core program models. That same year, Literacy Advance held its first
Champions of Literacy event to raise funds and awareness, and honor
community authors for their contribution to the literacy field (at top
left on facing page, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, center, is honored at a
Champions of Literacy event).

18

2000esarly 2001 2002

First Literacy Advance Connie Riddle retires
after 17 years as
website goes live Literacy Advance
Executive Director

Above: Logo created in 2003, which
represented Literacy Advance until 2008.

Above right: Children at a Family Literacy event
celebrate the gift of new books.

Right: A family chooses free books
at a Family Literacy Night.

Far right: In 2001, Anita Higman, a Literacy Advance
board member, wrote a novel called I Can Be

Anything. The story is about a boy who teaches his
mother how to read. All proceeds from book sales

were donated to Literacy Advance.

19

2002 2003 September 2003 2004

Literacy Advance Blue Jane Holston Format of Family First Champions of

Ribbon Committee appointed Executive Literacy Night updated Literacy event held

evaluates programming Director and re-structured
What does literacy mean to

“me? It means hope, pride, and
confidence to do what you want.
– Student Sheresh, 2004

Above: Then-Board member and future Board President Left: Jane Holston was the Executive
Ellen Elam with honoree Van Chancellor at the first Champions Director from 2003 to 2011. She oversaw
many changes and improvements during
of Literacy event in 2004. Each Champions of Literacy event her time at Literacy Advance, including
in the series, from 2004 to 2011, honored an author who was the expansion of services and staffing, and
significant growth in funding and support
engaged with the Literacy Advance mission. from across the community. Jane used
the popular Champions of Literacy series
to promote Literacy Advance’s profile in
the Houston community and as a “friend-
raiser” for the diverse activities of the
agency. She always saw the positive side
of things, and is still known among staff
and Board for her phrase: “So much to
celebrate!”

20

Literacy Advance in the late 2000s...

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

By the mid-2000s, Literacy Advance had fully restructured its fundraising efforts,
programs, and partnerships. Champions of Literacy events, which ran from 2004
to 2011, created an opportunity for Literacy Advance to raise funds in a more
intimate and mission-driven way than the traditional gala model. 19 authors
and literacy advocates were honored over the seven-year period for their
contributions to the literacy field.

In 2006, former Houston Astros pitcher and manager Larry Dierker learned
about Literacy Advance. He began volunteering as a tutor in the Adult Basic
Education Program and became passionate about the literacy cause. Larry and
his wife Judy became tireless advocates, and their leadership and commitment
has truly made a lasting impact. In 2007, Larry Dierker hosted the first annual
Larry Dierker Celebrity Golf Tournament to raise funds for Literacy Advance –
raising more money for the organization than any other event had before. These
tournaments, later known as the “Reader Cup,” continued as a very successful
annual fundraising event (photo on facing page, middle).

By 2007, classes had consolidated around life skills and everyday literacy. The
model was small-group English as a Second Language classes (photo on facing
page), and one-on-one Adult Basic Education classes, like the partnership
between volunteer tutor Pat Mead and student Cindy Montgomery, pictured
left. Volunteer tutor Bill highlights how dynamic classes had become:

21 “aRltIwecacocalomeknyunitnsalrtdgoklsynuil,en’rotxfgeofch,ritmatbhaevuyadbettcloytlbtuahhettseeoesy1yn.e0sAsamuemlclreoheisnrteoeahuvtretpeheelnepesmrrapIo–aselgoekoirndsipent.lEsgecIsn’omiwgttmh!le”inepsroyhleet’!rtee

Expansion in the areas of digital literacy and family literacy was also Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) – a nationally recognized
explored during this time to respond to the growing demands for model for assessing adult learners. The new testing system, focused
workforce readiness and parent literacy, along with the addition of on life skills just like the classes, was introduced along with a new
drop-in “While You’re Waiting” classes for the growing number of student and tutor database, allowing for more intentional program
students waiting to be placed in a regular class. Hours of operation improvements and the sharing of student successes with others in
were increased to include evening and Saturday times to allow the the community. One celebrated success was the Ruth J. Colvin and
organization to reach more students and recruit volunteer tutors who Frank C. Laubach Award for Excellence in Individual Achievement, won
worked full-time during the week. by student Anna Zubkova from a national pool of nominees. Anna is
In 2007, Literacy Advance began looking for ways to better measure pictured below right in 2010, holding her award from ProLiteracy, with
the success of agency programs and evaluate impact on the Houston Melanie Fisk, Deputy Director, Charlie Read, of long-time supporter
community. Through generous support from the Houston Endowment, The Hamill Foundation, and Jane Holston, Executive Director.
Literacy Advance hired a Literacy Navigator (the first dedicated
Outreach position) to formalize the organization’s classes held at In 2009, Literacy Advance celebrated its 45th Anniversary. To honor
partner sites. Although community-based classes had been a key part the organization’s incredible learners and volunteers, the first annual
of activities for many years, class expectations at offsite locations varied Around the World event was held, and has continued every year since,
from site to site and lacked the structure of classes at the main campus. as an annual celebration of culture, food, and learning. Students
Through the addition of a full-time staff member to coordinate efforts bring food from their native countries to this informal gathering and
at Outreach locations, offsite classes started to mirror the structure of thank their tutors for the wonderful gift of their time and talents. In
all other Literacy Advance classes. This new, formalized program was 2009, Literacy Advance’s first Alumni group was formed, as a way
launched at 19 community locations across the city. for graduated students to continue their learning and involvement in
Once city-wide classes were operating under the same structure, Literacy Advance – an early activity is pictured on the facing page, top
standardized testing was added through the use of the Comprehensive left, when students and volunteer Alumni leaders visited the Forbidden
Gardens in west Houston.

22

2000slate 2006 2006

“I not only learn English Literacy Advance First Scrabble event - a
here, but I also get to learn “Scrabble Soiree” - held
about other cultures from re-accredited by at the Riviera Restaurant
my classmates.
– Student Megumi Shibata, 2009 ProLiteracy in the Bay Area

Right: Staff member “
Kathleen Sartorius and tutor
Runmee Barbara Dutta at an Above: Team standings are recorded during the first Literacy
Advance Scrabble Soiree in the Bay Area in 2006. The event was
Around the World event, later moved to the Saint Arnold Brewing Company and re-named
an annual celebration of the many “Scrabble in the City.” The proceeds of these events help fund

cultures that make up Literacy Literacy Advance classes and operations.
Advance, and a thank-you to

volunteer tutors. Students bring
dishes from their home countries
to share with their Literacy Advance
family. Some students and tutors
even dress in traditional clothes that

represent their culture

23 and nationality.

2007 2007 2008 2009

First Larry Dierker Outreach activities Major rebranding by First Around the World
formalized, including BrandExtract, including
Celebrity Golf celebration (now an
standardization of new logo, marketing
Tournament classes materials, and more annual event)

Above left: Tutor Bob Hamilton and
student Violette Laurent read together.

Above right: Literacy Advance logo after
the 2008 re-branding. The book icon
doubles as a doorway and represents the
“doorway of literacy”.

Bottom left: Tutor Kristina Ireland talks
with her student, Paquita Landeta.

Bottom right: Student Ledisi Menemu 24
with his tutor Larry Dierker at Larry’s
Reader Cup event in 2011.

Literacy Advance 2010 to 2014...

A Bright Future

By 2010, Literacy Advance was known in the community as an effective,
innovative nonprofit organization. The newly adopted mission statement,
“transforming lives and communities through the doorway of literacy,” reflected
the organization’s view of literacy as a way to achieve larger life goals and dreams.

During this time, Houston leaders began rallying around workforce development
efforts, with adult education as a top priority. Organizations renewed their
resolve to work together to streamline their efforts, and to focus on referrals
and clear communication. Believing in the power of collective impact, Literacy
Advance began to combine forces with other nonprofit leaders.

In 2010, Literacy Advance was invited to join the United Way of Greater Houston’s
THRIVE Initiative, a collaborative of agencies working together to increase the
financial stability of Houston families. Through THRIVE involvement and other
new collaborations, Literacy Advance began to broaden its impact by adding
literacy classes at new partner sites; expanding math, work-readiness, and
computer literacy classes (photo at top left); increasing Family Literacy activities
(facing page, bottom left) and increasing referrals among partner agencies.

Melanie Fisk, formerly Literacy Advance’s Deputy Director, was chosen as the
organization’s new Executive Director upon the retirement of Jane Holston in
2011. During her tenure, Melanie crafted a tangible vision for the agency’s future
– including focusing on efficiencies within programs, developing strategies for
mature fundraising, and creating pathways for future growth.

Literacy Advance made several key updates to programs, including updating
student registration with renewed focus on students identifying their top reasons
for seeking literacy classes, classroom journals focusing on each student’s goals
and personal progress, ongoing development for volunteer tutors, and targeted
classes for students at both the beginning and end of the learning arc (photo of

25 graduating students, with long-time tutor Roslyn Metchis, at bottom left).

The Transforming Lives Society, a new individual giving program, was future. The organization has served well over 50,000 adults and families
introduced to encourage those most dedicated to the mission to help during its first 50 years, and despite many changes and innovations,
with agency stability. Story-telling became central to the agency’s has not forgotten its roots – “kitchen table learning”, and the power of
communication efforts, most notably in the one-hour tours known as volunteers to help their neighbors change their lives for the better. As
“Story Time’”, presenting the agency’s impact through stories of the then-Executive Director Melanie Fisk said in 2013:
adult students and volunteers who are at the heart of Literacy Advance
activities. Fundraising events like Scrabble in the City (photo on facing “Volunteers built Literacy Advance from
page, middle) and Larry Dierker’s Reader Cup Golf Tournament (photo the ground up, and since 1964 they
on page 27) continued to grow in impact and popularity.
Under Melanie’s leadership, more big changes came in the lead-up to have dedicated well over a million hours
the organization’s 50th Anniversary – including the addition of new of service through Board leadership,
Transition Services, with a focus on job readiness and referrals to tutoring, advocacy, events and
other agencies and classes; the expansion of the agency’s computer
lab (photo at bottom right shows staff member Kathryn Bauchelle fundraising, and in countless other sung
and volunteer Maxine Stefano at the Cameron Computer Lab Grand and unsung ways. Volunteers, we salute
Opening in May 2014); and the shift to a new programs database. you - you truly are transforming lives!”
This wave of growth and agency-wide improvements positioned
Literacy Advance for a celebratory 50th Anniversary year and a bright

26

2010s 2010 2011

Mission updated to Classroom Reflection
“Transforming lives and Journals named a
communities through
the doorway of literacy” “Promising Practice” by
ProLiteracy

Above left: Executive Director Melanie Fisk with
Larry and Judy Dierker at the 2014 Reader Cup, which
celebrated Larry and Judy’s tremendous dedication to

the literacy cause, as well as the 50th anniversary
of Larry’s first pitch for the Houston Astros in 1964.

Above right: Graduating students Gwendolyn, Maria,
and Alina with their volunteer tutor Liz Adams.

Far right: Maissa, student speaker,
at a “Story Time” tour in the Bay Area.

27 Right: Student Ola and tutor
Jeanne Saletan read together.

2010 2011 2013 2014

Partnership with United Melanie Fisk succeeds “Story Time” tours Updated Computer

Way THRIVE begins Jane Holston as start, an introduction to Lab, with 20 learning

Executive Director Literacy Advance and the stations, opens at
“ successes of the students
Wilcrest location

If illiteracy was a disease, we “
would all be working together to
find a cure.
– Larry Dierker, 2010

Top left: Student Lester Benton with President George
Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, at the Houston
Celebration of Reading in 2010. Lester was the student
speaker that evening and received a standing ovation.

Far left: Outreach ESL student Itzel reads to daughter
Kimberly. Itzel told her tutor that her primary reason
for taking English classes was to help her children
succeeed at school - and in life.

Left: Melanie Fisk, Literacy Advance Executive Director

from 2011 to 2014, brought a new focus on literacy

for the modern world. She oversaw the growth of the

agency’s digital literacy offerings and the opening of

the new Cameron Computer Lab, and saw literacy

classes as tied very closely to parent empowerment

and workforce development. 28



Our gratitude to our volunteers is overwhelming.
These tutors have all given over 100 hours to Literacy Advance, and we honor them!

Kellie Abasolo, Susan Abbott, Shiny Abraham, Isaac Achobe, Liz Adams, Nancy Adkins, Pradyumna Agrawal, Arnold Ahrens, Bill Aiguier, Ximena Alister,
Vella Allen, May Alsanea, William Altig, Larry Angermiller, Susan Anjier, Jill Anthony, Tim Aramil, Greg Aranda, Patricia Atkins, Runmee Barbara, Phyllis Bass,
Kathryn Bauchelle, Glenda Bedneau, Gabriela Beltran, Rupinder Benipal, James Berger, Lloyd Bernander, Adesuwa Berryhill, Taylor Bertone, Janna Beverly,
Renee Bevirt, Divita Bhandari, Okera Bishop, Jean Blackmon, Andre Blanchfield, John Bobbitt, Lacey Bodnar, Kerry Bost, Thomas Brandt, Sarah Brent, Elaine Brill,
Christine Bristow, Michael Brown, Dottie Burge, Patricia Campo, Amanda Canon, Gloria Chang, Carolyn Cheek, Maria Chesser, Tom Chiles, Susan Choquette,
Hester Clark, Mindy Cobb, Margaret Cobb, Carole Colley, Jennifer Collins, Mark Collins, Carlton Cook, Rochella Cooper, Carol Coulston, Mobley Cox, Joan Cox,
Amber Criswell, Leslie Crow, Camille Cunningham, Rachel Darby, LaCinda Darien, Sema de Zwart, Larry Dierker, Mary Dix, Sheklin Dixon, Lyn Eade, Dave English,
Belinda Erdelt, Farrah Fazli-Taheri, Howard Feldman, Elizabeth Fisher, Joshua Foster, Tammy Frey, Larry Fried, Nancy Friedman, Elaine Froneberger, Chip Fucik,

Susan Gallagher, Susan Giesecke, Greg Glasscock, Loretta Gould, Bob Greenstone, Dan Grieco, Charles Griffith, Elizabeth Gross, David Hademenos,
Bob Hamilton, Ahmed Hammad, Sherolyn Hancock, Allison Hand, Tom Hanlon, Annabelle Harp, Annella Harrison, Andini Haryani, Robert Hasty, Faye Hawkins,

Drina Henry, David Hoctor, Pollette Holcombe, Eric Houseman, Tracey Howell, Henri Huard, Shari Hunt, James Hunter, Bernie Hurtado, Elaine Hutzelman,
Iana Iacob, Kristina Ireland, Denise Jewell, Hope Johansen, Tom Johnson, Clare Johnson, William Johnson, Jonathan Jolivette, Judy Jones, Marc Katz,

Kelly Keeney, Joan Kelly, Fred Kessler, Kevin King, Afton Kolbe, James Lambuth, Carlos Lasala, Katherine Lawler, Albena Lazarova Jardin, Laura Le, Cathy Le,
Tieno Lee, Abra Lee, Nicki Leeds, Miriam Lefkowitz, Frances Leland, Barbara Lloyd, Nancy Loomis, Carole Lowenkron, Lynne Lower, Cristina Lozano, Sorin Lupascu,

Mary Lymberopoulos, William Madigan, Kendra Madison, Vineet Majmudar, Deepika Mamnani, Belinda Manrriquez, Georganne Mansour, Jeff Marks,
Michael Mathis, Sharon Mattox, Steve McCarthy, Dorothy McClinton, Pat McCracken, Lillian McCurdy, Chapman McDaniel, Marcia McDonald,

Mary Ann McElreath, John McNeil, Pat Mead, Sharon Mellow, Caroline Melton, Almaniria Mendez, Roslyn Metchis, Martin Gary Miertschin, Patricia Modisett,
Katie Monroe, Philip Moore, Al Morrey, Jorge Munoz, Shivika Nayyar, Michael Neff, Kathie Nelson, Heather Neuendorff, Trang Nguyen, Pam Nutt, Susan O’Brien,

Cinnamon Odell, Augustin Oisel, Peter Olyniec, Erica Orellana, Vanessa Ortiz, Jennifer Ostos-Gonzalez, Christine Overby, Barbara Overman, John Paige,
Barbara Pajak, Pratik Patel, Linda Patterson, Shelly Patton, Stine Pedersen, Flo Perry, Melanese Philbert, Ann Pollock, Bryan Poole, Ellen Price, Karen Putney,
Mariam Qazilbash, Linda Quintanilla, Suja Rajan, Michelle Raney, Silvina Rappi, Mark Reyes, Peter Rhodes, Lisa Rice, George Richeson, Connie Riddle, Irv Robbins,
Allison Roberts, Jean Roberts, Connie Rose, Jo Ann Rothfelder, Wendy Rudnicki, Michelle Ruiz, Ian Sack, Edna Sadhat Davalos, Jeanne Saletan, Aiswaria Saliens,
Atilano Sanchez, Karen Savage, Juan Sazo, Martha Schlott, Norman Schneider, Marsha Schooler, Tiffany Schreiber, Deborah Scianna, Pat Seago, Lisa Seamon,
Kara Shaver, Jim Sheridan, Nashid Shinthia, Richard Siemens, John Silak, Julie Silverberg, John Skinner, Emily Slama, Berenice Smith, Paula Solis, David Soper,
Christopher Sower, Authea Speaks, Sandra Stackable, Barbara Staley, Darrell Stanley, Christopher Stappen, Maxine Stefano, Michael Stein, Kathy Stockton,
Marlene Storzer, Bethany Stringer, Jerry Stuebben, Marissa Taler, Jessica Tarrand, Debora Taylor, Lara Tellis, Lisa Thomas, Eddison Titus, Paul Titus, Jennifer Tran,
Blake Tritico, Fiona Turett, Paulomi Tyebji, Maria Valdez, Xiomara Van Fleteren, Judith Vance, Yolanda Villarreal, Ramamurthy Viswanadham, Carole Wade,

Marjorie Warouw, Carol Wasserstein, Sherle Watson, Holly Welty, Janet Wheatcroft, Mill Whitehead, Dick Whittington, John Wojtecki II, Deidra Wright,
Louis Wu, Gunwoo Yook, Katie Zammito, Kian Zare, Sharon Zogg, Aja Zola.

We have scoured our current records for the names above, but know there have been many more in our 50 years, many who pre-date consistent record-keeping!

If you know of a person who you believe should have been included, please let us know.