On March 12, 2020, Literacy KC closed our doors to in-person classes. The full effects of COVID-19 surprised us all because we did not realize just how dangerous it was at that time. Our CEO, Gillian Helm, heeded to the warnings of Mayor Lucas, health officials, and news outlets by letting us know that the health and welfare of the staff, students, and volunteers was the most important thing to the organization. Little did any of us realize that our PRESENT would look like this. We were faced with an unknown and invisible enemy that did not have respect of people, until we discovered that it attacked some with certain illnesses such as respiratory problems and diabetes. Well, guess what? This included many of our students that held essential jobs. Gillian’s vigilance and quick action helped to avoid major transmissions within the organization.
The next step of importance was to determine how to stay connected to our students and volunteers. Thus, the beginning of homework packets and classes via conference calls and Zoom meetings were born. It was decided that we would not do a usual term break from Spring to Summer, but to keep working with students, which proved to be another great decision. We were providing an anchor for the students while Literacy KC’s board and administrative staff were providing an anchor for the instructional staff. We continued this path throughout the summer, which strengthened our connectivity with both students and volunteers. Students were eager to continue with classes even though they were not face-to-face. The homework packets proved to be the icing on the cake. It allowed for everyone in each class to have access to the same information simultaneously. That was our PRESENT then.
Of course, our PRESENT has evolved to a digital one that is being refined daily. First, I personally have had to come out of my comfort zone and refine my skills to be a greater asset for the students I teach. Secondly, I must NOW also accept that some students are helping their kids with school while in class with me. Thirdly, there are some hiccups, such as the different digital devices students use other than desktops and laptops, which many cannot afford. Finally, students expect me to possess the expertise to help them regardless of these hiccups, so they are successful in class. It is more important than ever that the classroom experience for them will keep them coming time and time again.
“It’s not where you start, but where you end”, is what I tell the students who are beating themselves up because they feel stuck in a PRESENT not planned. I explain to them that their PRESENT is NOW, and what they do with it can determine some of their future, but not their only end, which is a moving target. I share with them some of the history of Literacy KC, how it started as a nonprofit in the basement of a building with board members financing its existence. Today, we are NOW an organization funded by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, (DESE), to serve communities within and outside the city limits of Kansas City. But guess what? We hope for tomorrow, which will be our PRESENT when it arrives.
2020 has been a year of remarkable change. Yet in change, comes opportunity. For Literacy KC, it has brought expansion, both geographically and programmatically. This past year, we have:
- Grown to operate adult basic education and English as a Second Language programs in six sites throughout the metro area, from Excelsior Springs to El Dorado Springs.
- Plan to begin operation at five additional sites by the end of our fiscal year.
- Grown from a 20 person staff to a team of 65.
- Solidified partnership with the Don Bosco School of English, becoming responsible for the full administration of their ESL programming.
- Solidified partnership with the Housing Authority of Kansas City, whose Clymer Center now serves as our ESL headquarters.
- Responded to COVID-19 by building out a virtual infrastructure to teach our students safely through online education in literacy, High School Equivalency prep, ESL, workforce development, and more.
All of this change also brings new opportunities for supporters like you. Please consider investing in programming that profoundly changes the lives of students. We couldn’t do this important work without you.
Gillian Helm, CEO