Literacy Council of Tyler compares favorably to peers across state

For the first time in its 28-year history, the Literacy Council of Tyler has a way to see how it stacks up against similar programs across Texas, and the results show the nonprofit is leading the pack.

Results are not always immediately apparent for a nonprofit like the Literacy Council. The true test of how much a family benefits may play out over decades. The Texas Workforce Commission has partnered with the Literacy Council of Tyler and other literacy groups to offer job training after their clients earn a GED.

As part of that partnership, the TWC measures the performance of adult education programs. The commission evaluated four programs: workforce training for English as a Second Language students; GED prep and workforce training; workplace programs, which provide instruction to current employees at work, particularly in learning to speak, read and write English; and college prep and vocational training.

In each category, the Literacy Council of Tyler exceeded its target numbers for enrolled and

retained students during the 2017-18 school year. In GED prep and workforce training and workplace programs, the nonprofit exceeded its goals by almost twofold.

In addition, the nonprofit exceeded state averages in every category. The state average measures how well the state did as a whole on retention in that category when compared with the statewide goal.

“The experience we provide is probably the No. 1 reason we excel in these areas,” Literacy Council of Tyler Executive Director Nancy Crawford said, according to a news release. “Students can tell early on that we know what we are doing. They can also tell early on that we truly care about them, and that is equally important.”

Crawford said one of the most important pieces of data the nonprofit uses shows that you can predict the success of a child by second grade based on just the mother’s reading level.

“One of the main reasons we exist in helping adults is because we know literacy is a family affair,” Crawford said.

Client Karina Martinez has been working hard to set herself and her family up for success.

“Everything she does ends up benefiting her offspring and their offspring, and that’s how the cycle of poverty gets broken,” Crawford said.

Martinez came to the Literacy Council three years ago, speaking no English whatsoever. In November, she earned her GED and is set to begin her training to become a certified nurse’s aide through the Texas Workforce Commission program. For her, all the hard work and time spent is an investment in her children’s future.

“It’s great. I started at zero. I didn’t speak any English. I didn’t know how to read (in English),” Martinez said. “Now I’d like to start with the CNA (certified nursing assistant credentials) and then become a medical assistant. I will help my husband with money and the house and teach (my children).”

Since entering the program, she’s passed on what she has learned to her children, Nicolas, 6, and Emideth, 5.

“When we read, sometimes the books are in English, sometimes they’re in Spanish,” she said.

Martinez said she couldn’t have made it through the program without the encouragement and support of Crawford and her team. With two young children, having access to child care during lessons was the key to setting herself up for success.

Crawford attributed the organization’s ability to provide that support to the generosity of donors in the community.

“I always knew we were doing well, I always believed in the staff and the volunteers, but (the TWC report) validated we’re on the right track,” she said.

She hopes members of the community see the results as validation of their investment in the program.

As Martinez continues in the next stage of the program and begins a new career, she hopes others who need help with reading or GED preparation will consider the Literacy Council.

“It’s a great program,” she said. “They help a lot to the Hispanic community.”

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