Ethos Literacy

I have been volunteering with Ethos as a tutor for over 11 years now. I have tutored students from ages 19 to 82 for basic literacy. It warms my heart to see a 68-year-old gentleman who could not read progressed to passing a driver's test to receive his license (his goal). He not only had to learn to read but also have to learn how to navigate the internet for his test. This is only one of many of my students that I am so proud of. I learn from each of them. I received so much admiration from each one. It's a pleasure working and learning from Ethos's supportive staff. I am glad to be on the Ethos team!
Carol

Ethos Literacy is filling a major gap in the education of adults who need help with basic literacy or ESL instruction. They are committed to their students/learners by providing trained volunteers, and opportunities for a multi-disciplinary approach to meeting students' goals. The dedicated staff is professional and committed to making our community stronger through their efforts.

I have been donating to Ethos for years, and it’s been incredible to see the growing impact their amazing work has had on people and the community. It is especially touching and exciting to read their publication New Words.

This is a great organization that is helping put an end to adult literacy. I have volunteered with them for six months and found them to be both supportive of their volunteers and very accessible to their clients. They have a wealth of knowledge and incredible resources to aid in the tutoring and education of adults of all ages and varying skill levels. Not only am I a volunteer, I am also a donor.

Ethos Literacy is an impactful organization that transforms the lives of the adults it supports. The organization helps adult learners develop their reading, writing, math, and professional skills through fun, hands on learning environments.

As a Board officer I love to see the enthusiasm our Director has, as she shares her stories of the great opportunities the organization has and the achievements we have made. Our organization helps adult individuals become confident in speaking, and reading. Being creative and understanding that everyone deserves a chance to become better. English is not everyone's primary language and that is what I find very helpful as we match each individual to a tutor that would be a best fit for them. We want our students to learn and be encouraged, motivated by their accomplishments and I couldn't be any more thankful for our small but mighty staff at Ethos!

I serve on the Board of Directors of Ethos Literacy. This organization has a small staff and many dedicated volunteers. The free tutoring offered to adult learners has a major impact in the local community. By breaking the cycle of low literacy, students find new opportunities for work, education, expression, and self-confidence. This organization is small but mighty, and makes a real difference in people's lives!

I am the Founder of Ethos Literacy. It has been 17 years since we started. We served 21 students our first year. Since then, we've enrolled 1700 - and have made deep impact in individual's lives. We do it all with a small staff and 56 volunteer tutors - and a budget less than $250,000.

I will highlight one of our programs. "New Words - New Voices" is a unique project involving writing, a newspaper publication and a public reading. Every student writes as soon as possible and continues to write throughout his time with Ethos. We’re talking about reflections on childhood, being a mother, living in a new country. Poetry and prose. Sharing recipes and family memories. We publish their writing in a newspaper, “New Words.” Physical newspapers are distributed throughout the city. We also publish a digital version on the internet. Then, at a public event, students read their work to an audience, taking the project to the next level by showcasing their talent and creativity. "New Words - New Voices" is a powerful tool that not only empowers students to communicate their thoughts and experiences, but also validates their humanity by acknowledging the value of their stories. By giving voice to the voiceless, the project provides a platform for students to be heard and understood, instilling a sense of confidence and self-worth.

To read an issue of New Words: https://issuu.com/reading-works.org/docs/new_words_june_24_vol_9_no_2

As a Board Member, I am proud to support an organization that is transforming lives through literacy. Their dedicated volunteer tutors work tirelessly, providing one-on-one and small group instruction to adults who are often overlooked by traditional education and job training programs. These individuals, many of whom are striving to achieve the American Dream or feel it slipping away, are given the tools they need to improve their reading, writing, math, and financial management skills in a supportive, shame-free environment.

Ethos Literacy stands out not only for its commitment to literacy but also for its creative fundraisers like its short, short story writing contest and annual Spelling Bee, which foster community engagement and support its mission. Additionally, their students gain confidence and a voice by contributing to their published newspaper, New Words.

In a state like New Mexico, where 29% of adults have low reading skills, the work Ethos does is crucial. By empowering individuals with the skills they need to thrive, Ethos is helping adults to secure better jobs, lift up their families, and improve their lives. Ethos Literacy is making an impact in our community, and it's an honor to be a part of their vital mission.

Great organization! It’s efforts benefit people’s lives!

A homegrown non-profit helping locals attain skills that directly impact and give them the ability to improve their situations. Ethos helps people learn how to read, whether it’s to improve the client’s earning potential or to help them connect with their children or grandchildren through reading. Their services are provided free of charge so that anyone who seeks to improve their reading need only commit to the task without any financial burden.

My wife and I donate funds to local and national causes every year. The recipients of those choices can change from year to year, except for Ethos Literacy. The mission of all the non-profits we select is critical, but we consider the mission of Ethos to be fundamental.

I finally got to see the mission in action at their New Words New Voices event this Spring. It was nice to see that we've made a great choice in supporting this effort.

-Brent

I love tutoring with Ethos- I have an opportunity to give back to my community and make a difference all with great support from Ethos.

Ethos Literacy provides free literacy training to adults in Bernalillo County, New Mexico where the need for these services is great. I have been a volunteer tutor and board member for Ethos Literacy for over three years. I have tutored three gentlemen who have high school diplomas but could not read well enough to read to their children or obtain better employment. The organization's tutor training and continuing support are extraordinary. The diversified board meets monthly and operates very professionally.
Chris Jacobsen

I became a tutor with Ethos Literacy in December of 2022. From the beginning I was very impressed with how professional and organized the team at Ethos is. The application process and tutor training gives me confidence in knowing the team at Ethos stands behind their mission. Cindy, Desirae and Esodie are responsive and they are always available when I have questions or concerns. I also love how easy it is to use their website, especially the New Words section which showcases student writings.

I volunteered with Reading Works for several years as a tutor. Cindy, Esodie, and Margaret are a wonderful team and a pleasure to know. They were incredibly supportive whenever I had specific questions or struggles. The initial training for basic adult literacy was excellent and exciting - and the workshops offered regularly were informative and timely. Reading Works is providing a vital service in Albuquerque and will always have my support!

Reading Works prepared me so thoroughly to become a volunteer tutor. Ive had the same student for 9 months; RW materials and tutor guidance was so fantastic that my student made incredible progress in a short time. She entered as ESL and is now at 6th grade level, preparing for her high school equivalency test! This is by far one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had.

I started volunteering with Reading Works about 10 months ago and it has been a highly positive, rewarding experience. The staff, volunteers, and students are all on the same page and communication is always emphasized. This organization changes lives and I am proud to be a small part of it.

Reading Works just received an innovation grant from the National Literacy Directory in recognition of its writing program New Words. New Words is a creative writing project where our students write about about their lives and communities. Student writings are published in a newspaper.

The grant is designed to recognize and reward innovative literacy and education programs that are finding solutions to persistent challenges.

The National Literacy Directory is a joint effort of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, the National Center for Families Learning and ProLiteracy. The National Literacy Directory contains over 7,000 educational agencies located across the United States.

I’ve volunteered with Reading Works since November 2015 when I began training to tutor clients in basic literacy as well as ESL. As with many of the tutors, I didn’t come to Reading Works with teaching experience, so the training got me off to a good start. The office staff manages a library of wonderful resources, and if I find something I like but they don’t have, they buy it. Even more importantly, if I have trouble finding just the right resource, they will find something that works for me and my client. They provide ongoing training, and more experienced tutors are always willing to share ideas that work for them.
I’ve enjoyed working with the clients and have learned as much from them as they have from me. Reading Works’ client-centered approach to learning works! My client’s family has gushed about her improvement, and my client has told me that she now argues with them in English. She also handles business that her husband used to handle. Clients are tested every six months by the Reading Works staff. This feedback is so important. Even though I notice the improvement during our meetings, it’s nice to have validation that your client has increased one or even two levels.
In addition to tutoring, I put together the client-generated newsletter. Their articles touch me in so many ways. They make me laugh and cry and think! Plus, other tutors have told me that their clients love seeing their words in print.
All in all, volunteering with Reading Works has been a wonderful experience.

I've had the privilege of working with this organization for the past 6 years. With a staff of two and a tribe of dedicated volunteers, it's incredible what can be accomplished when you love what you do and who you serve.
Our students come to Reading Works to move beyond boundaries or a stigmatization created sometimes by themselves, but more often by society. It is the gift of time, for which all of our tutors give freely, that our students build confidence, find a voice, teach their children and advocate for their communities.
It gives me pleasure knowing the combined efforts of our skilled staff, resourceful board, gracious volunteers and industrious students, have created an organization that helps people be the image of themselves, that they've always dreamed of becoming.

I've been a tutor at Reading Works for nearly two years and have enjoyed working with my assigned students! My current student has improved her reading comprehension skills, has enrolled in community college, and is working on learning pre-algebra. The training and support I've received from Reading Works staff has made all the difference in my student's successful learning. I'm so thankful our community has such an effective adult literacy program!

I tutored a woman in reading, writing, and speaking English for a year and a half, and as a result she was able to pass the U.S. citizenship test. She was thrilled, and so was I. She then got a better job. It wouldn't have happened without Reading Works, which supported us every step of the way. Their training, materials, and encouragement were invaluable.

As a volunteer tutor for Reading Works for nearly two years, I can honestly say that this organization provides an immeasurable service to our community. The training and ongoing workshops for tutors are immensely helpful. And the resources and encouragement afforded to the adult learners are truly remarkable. It is an honor to be affiliated with this organization.

The work that these volunteers do expands exponentially when you consider how just teaching one person to read transmits to more and more people reading. And everyone knows what happens in a world where knowledge is spread freely!!! Thank you for doing such an invaluable job!!

After attending the annual fundraiser for this organization I am so impressed with the hard work and fabulous results this group has shown. They are a group of highly engaged individuals who are making big strides in the local community by giving the gift of reading to adults. One young woman was able to acquire her GED and continue with her studies which was bound to be passed along to her children.

I have been a tutor with Reading Works for four years, and I can attest that it is making a big difference in our community, which has an very high rate of illiteracy. I watched my learner progress from reading at a second grade level to reading at a fifth grade level. When he was able to go to the doctor's office and fill out the paperwork without assistance, he felt enormous pride and accomplishment. And as his tutor, I felt very happy for and proud of him.

As a volunteer tutor and Board member, Reading Works has offered a consistent and stimulating string of challenging opportunities for personal growth and gratification. Along with our other tutors and Board members we experience the satisfaction of helping adults (and their families) move from the fringes of our community closer to the mainstream as they gain self-confidence and joy in learning.

Robert Shipley

Reading Works provides 1:1 tutoring to adults who live in our community.Their needs range from Basic Literacy to Math and computer literacy as well as ESL. Some of the students have been able to get job promotions or US citizenship or read books to their children or grandchildren. It is a much needed service and all of the tutors are volunteers with generous hearts!

Reading Works, Inc. is an asset to our community by readying students to take the GED or to pass the Naturalization test for citizenship or to read to their children.

I am honored to be associated with Reading Works. They are providing an effective solution to a significant problem in the community, and as a result they are changing people's lives. Reading Works provides a caring environment, free from judgment, allowing students to meet their literacy goals. The one-on-one tutoring sessions provide personalized instruction, which is a large part of both the students' and Reading Works' success. Each benchmark that students achieve enhances their contribution to their familial, economic, and social responsibilities. This has a dynamic effect, which is becoming apparent within the community they serve.

The Board is dedicated to the mission of increasing adult literacy. They are so appreciative of volunteer support. By helping one person at a time, they are making a difference in the Albuquerque community.

For donors: Reading Works is a United Way Community Fund agency. When you are looking for a non-profit investment, this means something. Nonprofit programs supported by the Community Fund have been carefully vetted by the community to ensure dollars:

• benefit the most vulnerable in our four-county area.

• support programs with specific, measurable, and attainable goals.

• address needs that are critical and data-informed.

• support work that is not duplicated in its outreach area.

• foster collaboration.

• support effective and efficient programs with excellent track records.

• support programs that are sustainable and of good financial health.

• support best practices.

I support Reading Works because one way to improve our educational system is to ensure that parents of school-age children have the skills needed to engage with their children and schools in the educational process. Parents who cannot read and write at a level above their children aren't able to support their child's learning, have trouble connecting with teachers regarding their child's education, and frequently miss out on crucial communications from the school.

I became connected with Reading Works in March 2013. I am continually amazed with the passion of not only my fellow board members but the passion our volunteers have for the clients they interact with. Each Reading Works client has a unique story and it is awesome to see these clients able to achieve their goals. Reading Works is a life changing organization I am proud to be associated with.

I started with Reading Works in August of this year. I received their training and was connected with a student. He is a very hard working person who works and has a 12 year old child. Here is a person trying to improve his reading ability. He is a great example for his son and the community.

Reading Works is a AWESOME non- profit agency that helps adults with literacy. I have been a student for two years. When I came to the program I knew I needed to improve my reading skills and writing skills. I have a dream that one day I'll be working in a field that I love which happens to be the medical field. I thank god that Reading Works is around. Reading Works changed my life by providing me with a tutor that would assist me in accomplishing my goal which is to learn how to read. I continue to work with my tutor once a week to improve my reading and writing skills." 1 out of 5 New Mexicans can't read."

This is a fantastic group and I am very glad to have gotten the opportunity to be a volunteer ESL tutor with them. I really enjoy working with the person from Uganda who is trying to improve his ability to more naturally speak English.
The chance I have received from Reading Works to be a volunteer ESL tutor is priceless ans am very glad that I have discovered the group and am able to be a volunteer with them

Reading Works is a wonderful family of volunteers. They do a lot of tremendous work for the community of Albuquerque. I began volunteered with them and they sent me to training, taught me everything I needed to know, and put me with an adult ESL learner that worked out great. They really helped me capitalize on my passion for teaching and I'm greatly indebted to them. I'm now a certified ESL volunteer tutor and am so grateful. Thank you for everything!!

My experience as a tutor has been very positive. My student seems to greatly appreciate a chance to improve his literacy. He is motivated to learn even though he has some disabilities. We both enjoy the tutor sessions. Being a literacy coach has been very stimulating for me as a tutor and enriches my life to deal with the challenges of helping my student improve his literacy.

I have been a Reading Works basic literacy tutor for over two years. The service this organization provides is desperately needed. I' m proud to be a part of this organization, so much that I not only tutor but look for any opportunity to contribute financially. It is a professionally run organization with both the needs of the students and of the tutors in mind. RW leadership also focuses on reaching out to the community and to other agencies and organizations with related missions to better leverage limited resources. The initial training I received, the frequent tutor workshops, and the resource materials available help me provide better help for my student. I can't say enough about the students who work so hard to improve their reading and writing ability. I so admire their dedication and hard work even though they have jobs, families and other responsibilities.

I have been a tutor for Reading Works since it began. This is a wonderful organization, offering personalized tutoring in various aspects of adult literacy, and I know that as a result of our services, many lives have been changed for the better. When we have more literate individuals in our community, and more with their GED or more who have become fluent in English, we have a richer and stronger community. The lives of our volunteer tutors have also become richer through the opportunity to give back what others have so generously given us.

Having known about Reading Works since it began, I started volunteering as an ESL tutor when I retired in June 2012. Although I expected to only work with a couple of students, my involvement has grown. I have been tutoring an Intermediate group of 10-12 parents at a local middle school and helping support two other volunteers at the same school. In the last 11 months, our one site has grown from 6 total students to 20 students and a waiting list. During this time, Reading Works has supported the other tutors and me unconditionally and is constantly recruiting students who need our services. Any time I have asked if I could do something new, the answer is always "Of course! Let us know how it works!" This is an amazing organization which changes the lives of real people.

I have been a tutor for Reading Works for more than three years, working with four female ESL students. Their accomplishments are many, but include employment promotions, getting a driver's license, library cards, and two students are able to engage in English classes at the community college. Reading Works is a dynamic organization which provides tutors with continuous support, training and learning materials. As a member of the board, I can attest to the commitment of its members and their desire to help Reading Works grow in its ability to serve the community.

For almost two years now I've been a reading tutor, computer applications teacher and Board member of Reading Works, Inc., in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The stimulating and gratifying opportunities for both learner and volunteer seem to be endless. The more I involve myself, the more ideas I get to enhance our program. The next big challenge for the staff and opportunities for the learners will be our upgraded computer lab, which will enable our clients to learn the latest computer skills as well as practice the GED tests.

I feel that the support our volunteers get from the Board and staff make giving our time and talent just about the best use of my energy, bar none.

Reading Works is a terrific organization and I have enjoyed serving as a tutor. They offer very thorough and enjoyable training for new volunteers, and are there to support tutors and students through every step. They have a great library and resource center that has everything necessary for tutors and students to succeed.

I am a new tutor for math. I'm currently helping two students to obtain their GED certificates. Both students are in their 30s and have made a commitment to better themselves by obtaining their GED. I admire their desire to work hard in adulthood to make up for past missteps. I'm glad to be helping them and glad that an organization like Reading Works exists to facilitate a connection between volunteers and students in the community. I am a retired civil engineer and I've always wanted to be a teacher so this work is a great fit. From what I've seen so far, the organization is superb and hard working. It's truly a joy to be associated with Reading Works.

Reading Works just completed a programming year. We served 130 individuals.

Our programming goals for the fiscal year beginning on July 1 are
* serve 200 people
* expand our ESL classes for immigrant parents of middle school children
* form a partnership with the Asian Family Center
* institute a reading for pleasure program
* revise our GED curriculum to address the changes in the GED test which will be launched in January 2014.

Reading Works is a good investment for a donor. 81% of our budget for 2013-2014 is allocated to programming. Our clients make real life changes like U.S. citizenship, getting a job, advancing in employment, learning literacy and English survival skills, and enrolling in community college or university classes.

Reading Works fills a great need in Albuquerque. According to the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy, nearly half of the state's adults - 46% - are either illiterate or functionally illiterate! Reading Works helps provide solutions to this seemingly insurmountable problem by providing tutors, reading materials, valuable resources and a committed, wonderful staff for those in need. It not only assists learners, but provides great support and training to the tutors. As a volunteer tutor, I'm impressed by their mission and dedication and believe that I've benefited as much, if not more, than my learners.

Reading Works has been helping me for about three years. By reading and spelling and learning the meaning of certain words, I've read about eight books, which I haven't read in about twenty years. Thanks.

Not long after I moved to Albuquerque, I read about Reading Works in a local paper. I contacted them and within a short period of time I was enrolled in their ESL training program. That was almost two years ago. Since then I have worked with three different students, all immigrants from the Middle East or northern Africa. All are hard-working, extremely motivated young men with an intense desire to learn. Their stories and their work ethic are inspiring, and I thoroughly enjoy the time I spend with them and the knowledge I have that I am helping them to achieve their goals.

I love reading works! I have just started in my tutoring career with Reading Works and I plan on spending a long time there and with my wonderful student. The people at Reading Works truly care about the community they serve. Tutoring is a top priority in my life. I love Reading Works for teaching me how to become an effective tutor.

I have been a Reading Works tutor for almost 2 years. Throughout my entire life, I have been an avid reader and writer, embracing these skills as "core blessings." Whenever I consider illiteracy - - a huge disadvantage for so many across the world - - I have an urgent wish to help. That wish became a reality for me once I retired from my 46-year career as an RN. My very first retirement "project" was to join the Volunteer Program at Reading Works. The 16+ hours of Orientation blew me away with its breadth and depth. I learned so much. Next came my acquaintance with Reading Works' staff, truly a remarkably dedicated and ever-supportive group. As I began with my first student (a bright and highly educated man from Kurdistan), I discovered the wealth of teaching tools that Reading Works has compiled, a library just bursting with helpful resources. Currently, I am working with a Vietnamese learner, a woman whose over-arching goal has been to become a U.S. citizen. For this, she's needed to improve all of her literacy skills and prepare for her Citizenship examinations, both oral and written. Yesterday, she passed with flying colors! During my tenure as a tutor, I've watched with awe the commitment and hard work of Reading Works' administration. This is a tightly-run ship, every day a productive and successful contribution to the community. Reading Works deserves every shred of assistance possible.

I have been with Reading Works since 2008 as a board member, tutor, and project leader. I am so pleased to be working with highly talented and devoted tutors who so generously share their talents with people wanting to change their lives by improving their literacy skills. As a tutor, I am always learning more about the subject we are studying and love the thrill of seeing a breakthrough in a person's understanding! That is the payoff for me! Plus, the friendships I have with my students enrich my life. The Board is unique because they are actively involved with the program rather than just a board that sets policy or raises money. Because we do not have an agency housing us, the challenges of raising money and seeing that our community-based program keeps improving in innovative ways keeps their involvement high. Our office is used for training and for tutoring, has a good library for our tutors, and is located in a neighborhood that we think may find our services useful. Our board president, a founder, has vision and high energy so she keeps moving us along. With the literacy levels so low in a great percentage of our citizens, the need is great, but we are working to get our name out and to increase our contribution to our city. I am so glad to be involved with this pioneering group in Albuquerque.

I started doing GED math tutoring with Reading Works in September of this year. Thank goodness for the RW scanner; now all my handouts are on a memory stick. I am particularly happy to have a math tutoring connection to the people of DVRC via Reading Works. It is my way of investing in the community here.

Reading Works serves the community with a program that directly assists non-literate adults. One of the most fundamental and necessary skills required in our society today is literacy. So many of us take this skill for granted, yet the statistics on the number of adults unable to read and write are truly startling. I am impressed by the many dedicated tutors who work selflessly to teach reading and writing. I am equally impressed by the clients that work so hard to acquire these skills. It is a privilege to be part of something that can so profoundly impact the quality of a human being's life.