Spring 2015
What Does WIOA Mean for CLC?
Last July, President Obama signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (WIOA), which takes effect July 1, 2015. Among other things, WIOA ensures that resources for Title II providers support activities that better prepare
adult learners for postsecondary and career success. (CLC is a Title II provider
under the act.) For years, CLC has helped learners gain employment by providing transition support like career coaching and job search guidance. But CLC is
exploring beyond those services. Since last quarter 2014, CLC has been working with Compass, a consultancy for nonprofits that awarded CLC a significant
pro bono package of strategic consulting services. Compass and CLC are in the
midst of identifying additional workforce strategies and opportunities that
align with WIOA and allow CLC to continue to serve the hardest to serve.
CLC chatter
CLC welcomed new teachers Ben
Landau-Bespiel and Alycia Kohler. . . This year, ESL learners hail
from Mauritania, Guinea, Liberia,
Haiti, Sudan, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and
Taiwan . . . exec director Becky
Wagner presented on the scientific
method at Georgia’s 2014 Fall Adult
Education Conference.
GED Spotlight: Johannes Ocasio
Johannes passed the GED test on December 23, 2014—a good day for many!
How does it feel to have your high school diploma?
After taking my last test (social studies—not my strongest subject), I was
scared. But when I got an alert on my phone saying “congratulations on passing the GED,” I couldn’t believe it. I kept staring at my phone. Then the tears
began to fall. I called my family and then I stopped by CLC to tell my teachers
and tutors. Total relief, an obstacle overcome. Every time I think about it, I cry.
What was the hardest thing to deal with?
I had my good and bad moments. I think the hardest part was taking the actual
test and then disappointing my family, teachers, and myself if I didn’t pass. But
at the same time, I knew that all I could do was my best, which I did, with the
help of CLC classes and tutoring, my family’s support, and a lot of hard work.
OUR MISSION
What did the experience teach you?
I learned that with a lot of determination and hard work, you can accomplish
what you want.
To help adults develop
literacy, math and life
skills using a supportive
and holistic approach so
that they can realize
their fullest potential
at home, in the workplace, and in the
community.
facebook.com/phillyCLC
@phillyCLC
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To sign up for CLC
e-updates, go to:
communitylearningcenter.org
Johannes and creation
Johannes had a clear goal: to attend
culinary school and become a pastry
chef. This summer, she begins her
culinary studies, then on to college.
In the meantime, Johannes works as
a learning coach at the 63rd Street
location of myPLACE, an adult education center established by the
Mayor’s Commission on Literacy.
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
in Pennsylvania,
over 6,500 adults are
on wait lists for
literacy classes and/or tutoring.
PA Association for Adult Continuing
Education (PAACE) 2014
is it science? art? both?
CLC was chosen as one of 11 agencies in the United
States to participate in the beta Foldscope Adult Basic Education science project. A Foldscope is an
“origami microscope” designed by Stanford University professor Manu Prakash for countries with poor
economies. It has 2000x magnification and can be
assembled in 10 minutes. The hope is that it will cost
less than $1 to commercially manufacture. Because
U.S. adult literacy providers generally do not have
funding for science equipment, it could be an affordable learning aid in the classroom.
Foldscope has
the potential to enhance science instruction in adult literacy
classes in the United
States.
determined to succeed!
D started out as an Adult Basic Education
learner but is now in pre-GED classes. He’s been
making terrific progress in math and is one of the
strongest math learners in his class. D has been
in drug addiction recovery during his studies and
has stayed on track. And he’s close to starting the
next round: GED classes. D is a true inspiration.
J lost her job at a university because she did
not have a high school diploma. She became depressed; it was hard for her to get out of bed in
the morning. But J found the strength to attend
pre-GED classes, and she did consistently. After
two class cycles, she was promoted to GED
classes, where she is now focused on her science
studies. J is well on her way!
E’s assessments showed he was doing
math at a 6th grade level and reading at a 7th
grade level. Through great effort and persistence,
Elliot boosted his math skills to a 10th grade level
and his reading to a 12th grade level. Now attending GED classes, he continues to be a positive and
encouraging presence in the CLC community. E’s
goal is to earn his GED in 2015 and attend mortuary school. We know he’ll do it.
from the executive director
Dear Friends,
Spring greetings!
Thank you for supporting CLC during our annual fundraising appeal—it was awesome! Your gifts make it possible for adults in need to attend literacy and GED classes,
learn and practice workplace skills to gain employment,
get post-secondary school guidance and transition, and
attend digital and financial literacy workshops.
Since November 2014, CLC has been working with Compass, a consultancy for nonprofits, on a workforce partnership project. Compass chose CLC to receive pro
bono consulting services, and it has been a true delight
and learning experience working with this stellar group of
professionals. Best of all, the project, which finishes in
May, will result in some exciting new directions and employment opportunities for CLC learners!
We no longer refer to GED 2014 as the “new” GED test
because it has now been more than a year since it was
launched. Preliminary reports show that nationally the
number of adults who took the test dropped from almost
500,000 in 2013 to just under 250,000 in 2014. And of
those who took the test in 2014, only 35% passed, down
from 75% in 2013.
CLC was not immune; we saw a sharp drop in the number
of learners who were academically prepared to take the
test. With new emphasis on critical thinking and complex
text, GED 2014 is more rigorous, requiring a change in
teaching strategies and more outside reading and study
time for learners. CLC’s staff has been exercising its own
problem-solving skills by developing new curriculum
approaches to prepare learners for the test’s rigors. We
know we will see more GED grads, but it will take more
time and so we and the learners press on.
CLC just began its fourth cycle of the 2014-15 program
year. New and returning learners always inspire us
with their determination to improve their life. I
think you know by now that CLC is pretty serious about
learning, GED success, and workforce readiness. We do
more than improve reading and math skills, though. We
help learners get past old regrets, self-doubt, and shame.
And it is always a happy moment to see a cloud lift.
In deepest gratitude,
Becky
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CLC’s new volunteer coordinator
CLC Staff Members
Rebecca Wagner, executive director
Carol Miller, director of operations
Dawn Hannah, director of education
Eileen Kenney, director of
development & communications
Jeffrey Cunningham, teacher
Stephanie Fahringer, myPlace coach
Kieran Farrell, career coach
Carolanne Mitchell, career coach
Patricia Haggerty, teacher
Michelle Heath, program assistant
Nita Jalivay, myPLACE coordinator
Jon Kligerman, GED test administrator
Alycia Kohler, teacher
Benjamin Laundau-Beispiel, teacher
Lindsay Liprando, teacher
Mama Moore, facilities
Johannes Ocasio, myPLACE coach
Javier Soler, teacher
Marcie Soslau,, volunteer coordinator
Catherine Vernon, teacher
CLC Board of Directors
Karen Michael, president
Fred Baumert
Mary Flournoy
Jeffrey Bodle
Matthew Ciesinski, vice president
Joanna Cline, secretary
Jeffrey Daman
Teo Diaz
Caleb Garcia
Daniel Johns, immediate past president
Dale Mezzacappa
Christine Rogers-Raetsch
Kerry Rowe, treasurer
Helen Mullen, director emeritus
Marcie Soslau joined CLC in January. Marcie
matches learners with tutors based on strengths
and scheduling, and acts as a bridge between
CLC, tutor, and learner. "Since arriving, I’ve witnessed an ESL learner read his first sentences, a
learner pass the last part of the GED test, and
ABE learners enroll and maintain perfect attendance. I admire the learners and their tutors and
am so happy to be a part of the CLC team."
thanks to CLC volunteers
Bashier Abdur-Rahama
James Alcock
Daniel Baker
Catherine Barnes
Carl Billings
Diana Brody
Tairat Disu
Patricia Donnelly
Natalie Dyen
Jo Fishburn
Mary Flournoy
Constance Gardner
Sarah Gleeson
Ellen Hart
John Holman
CLC Founder
Jean L. Fleschute
Anna Inigo
Natsuo Iwata
Karen Jordan
Todd Klokis
Celeste Lamb
Joanne Laub
Mary Laver
Herbert Levine
David Low
Beth Maimskog
Taylor Mayson
John McGee
Mary McKenna
Kenneth McKnight
Molly McLaughlin
Stephanie Nolan
Livia Popko
Elizabeth Rappaport
Rebecca Reber
Margaret Robertson
Diallo Robinson
John Rowland
Maura Sare
Laurie Sherman
Talie Smookler
Carole Soskis
Willa Stokes
David Suisman
Tanya Sweet
Make a difference in an adult learner’s life.
Volunteer at CLC!
To serve as a tutor or classroom aide, please contact
volunteer coordinator Marcie Soslau to learn more.
[email protected] | 267-463-2306
thanks to our 2014-15 funders and donors
Lincoln Financial Foundation
Whole Foods Callowhill
United Way of Greater Philadelphia
and Southern New Jersey
And our sincerest thanks to the hundreds of individual
donors who contributed to CLC. Our funders and
donors have changed lives!
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The TJX Foundation
The Jane Ann Krause Trust and the Walter E.
Hering Fund #2 at The Philadelphia Foundation
The Brook J. Lenfest Foundation
The Patricia Kind Family Foundation
The Claneil Foundation
Dechert LLP (in kind)
LEADERSHIP Philadelphia (in kind)
4imprint (in kind)
the journey continues for CLC learners
Francisca Ortiz has made honor roll at Community College of Philadelphia, where she is close to completing her associate’s degree with a creative
writing certificate.
Belinda Hendrick completed phlebotomy classes at Harris School of
Business and is now working on getting her driver’s license to be a mobile
phlebotomist.
Malisa Arias is studying to become a Registered Nurse at Community College of Philadelphia.
Mary Ellen Matthews is in her second semester at Community College of
Philadelphia.
Keith Scruggs attends classes at Community College of Philadelphia.
Francisca Ortiz
(class of 2013)
with CLC teacher
Jeffrey Cunningham
James Carney is enrolled in a 13-month HVACR (heating, ventilation, air
conditioning, and refrigeration) training program at All-State Career Center
in Essington, Pa. He loves his studies and will finish the program in July
2015.
Marjorie St. Cyr attends classes at Community College of Philadelphia in
the John Wanamaker Scholarship Program.
2701 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19132
215-426-7940
www.communitylearningcenter.org
@phillyCLC
ZIP CODE 19063
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