WALC Learning Center Open House
Winnebago Area Literacy Council celebrated the opening of the WALC Learning Center on Thursday, February 22, 2024. We could not have done this without the support of: Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, JJ Keller, Oshkosh Public Library, Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, Will and Val Steiner, Our Board of Directors, staff, teachers, volunteers, and learners! We are very grateful that so many people from our amazing community showed up to support us. Thank you all!
We have exciting news!
Spellbound For Literacy 2023
presented by: Amcor
Spellbound For Literacy – our annual fundraiser – is an adult team spelling bee with something for everyone! This fun action packed night of giving featured live music by Michael Murphy, a wine wall with over 120 bottles of wine, auctions & raffles, delicious food, a cash bar and more!
Each team was comprised of 6 – 8 people – the perfect team-building or family event!
Stay tuned for the 2024 Spellbound For Literacy Date!
Peer Mentoring For Refugee and Immigrant Teens
The goal of this summer program is to help refugee and immigrant teens get more familiar with our Winnebago area, American cultural norms and give them a peer support system for the coming School year.
This year we had more participants than ever and went on several fun group trips!
Women & Children’s Summer Potluck
We wrapped up another wonderful quarter of Women and Children’s English classes with a group potluck! Thank you so much to the Oshkosh Public Library for joining us this quarter to bring the Summer Reading Challenge to our families. We can’t wait to see all of our learners after the break!
Volunteer Appreciation Event – August 2023
The support of our volunteers helps us achieve our mission to strengthen our diverse community. Twice a year we host a gathering to thank them, allow them to share ideas and success stories with us and each other, and generally have a little fun. Thank you so much to everyone that attended! To everyone that wasn’t able to join us, we hope to see you in February at the next gathering!
Oshkosh Public Library brings Summer Reading to Women & Children’s Literacy!
Every year the Oshkosh Public Library runs a Summer Reading Challenge for children and adults. This year they brought the program to our Women and Children’s Literacy Class! Marie, Lindsey and Morgan from OPL brought each child a bookmark to track their reading, signed them up for the program, and read a story – which earned them their first bead! To facilitate their summer reading success, Winnebago Area Literacy Council provided free books to all of the families. Statistics show that the number of books in the home correlates HIGHLY with higher reading and academic scores, so we regularly use book drive donations to build the home libraries of our learners. Studies also show a higher level of interest in reading when children are allowed to select their own books. It was a fun and engaging start to the summer session of our Women and Children’s Literacy program – thank you to the Oshkosh Public Library, St. Andrew’s Church, to everyone that donated books this year, and to all of our wonderful volunteers that make this program possible!
Women & Children’s Spring Potluck
These potlucks are a long standing WALC tradition that we hold 4 times a year as each season comes to an end. Women & Children’s class will be taking a break before we resume on June 13th for the summer program. These potlucks are a wonderful and DELICIOUS way to celebrate each of our learners’ cultures as they typically bring a traditional dish to share with the group. Several recipes from this gathering have been requested, and we’ll be sharing them with all of you as soon as possible – YUM!
Leadership Oshkosh Trivia Night 2023
Each year the Oshkosh Chamber offers a program called Leadership Oshkosh. Leadership Oshkosh is designed to bring together a diverse group of individuals from the area who share an interest in and commitment to the Oshkosh community. Its mission is to inspire and empower people to make a difference in the community. Each year participants in the program select a non-profit organization and organize a fundraising event on their behalf. The 2023 class selected us at the Winnebago Area Literacy Council!
Trivia Night was an absolute success – the event was sold out, and everyone present had a wonderful time. Our own Board of Directors secured two tables for the event, and took First Place and Third Place in the competition! We want to thank the 2023 Leadership Oshkosh class for selecting us as their Non-Profit to support, as well as all of the sponsors for the evening:
Presenting Sponsor: Blended Waxes
Platinum Sponsor: Amcor
Gold Sponsors: Advocate Health, Alliance Laundry Systems, Ascension Mercy Hospital, Barley & Hops, Belville & Associates Chiropractic, Oshkosh Corporation and Silver Star Brands
Fox River Brewing – Event Space Sponsor
Volunteer Appreciation Event – March 2023
The support of our volunteers helps us achieve our mission to strengthen our diverse community. Twice a year we host a gathering to thank them, allow them to share ideas and success stories with us and each other, and generally have a little fun. Thank you so much to everyone that attended! To everyone that wasn’t able to join us, we hope to see you at the next one!
Women & Children’s Annual Holiday Potluck
This year’s annual holiday potluck at St. Andrew’s church was a delicious success! These potlucks are a long standing WALC tradition that we hold 4 times a year as each season comes to an end. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate each of our learners’ cultures as they typically bring a traditional dish to share with the group. Each family also received a Holiday gift bag with items their families need – kitchen items, hygiene products, books, games, and craft supplies for the kids. Thank you so much to teachers Michelle, Sally & Jeanne for organizing the potluck and Holiday Gift Bags, thank you to our volunteers that continuously provide transportation and classroom support, and thank you to our learners for sharing this meal with us. We are already looking forward to the next one!
Spellbound for Literacy 2022
Spellbound – our annual fundraiser – is an adult team spelling bee with something for everyone! This fun action packed night of giving features live music, a wine wall, auctions & raffles, delicious food, a cash bar and more! Each team is comprised of 6 – 8 people – the perfect team-building or family event! We’re already planning for 2023, and the team to beat is the 2022 reining champions: The WI Street Irregulars!
There are several ways to participate – sponsor the event or a table, be a spelling bee participant, volunteer to help at the event, or donate a gift for the auctions/raffles – no gift is too small!
See you at Spellbound 2023 this Fall!
