Write the Next Chapter with Wendy!

My name is Wendy Berry and I’m an Interim Co-President of Literacy Minnesota, where I’ve been for just over two years. The learners and staff I get to work with have inspired me every single day. 

I’ve heard rooms explode with applause when someone passes a digital literacy assessment and gets their certificate. I’ve watched so many adult learners deal with other barriers in their lives and still make it a point to come to class, because they’re that motivated to improve their English or get one step closer to their GED. This year tested that. 

Operation Metro Surge brought ICE enforcement into our learners’ neighborhoods, and many were too afraid to come to class. Several months later, and we have students that still aren't sure if it's safe to leave their house. 

We've had disruptions in our learning centers that have included needing to find a new location for Open Door Saint Paul after over 20 years in the same spot and shutting down ESL classes for six months at Open Door Minneapolis. Our teachers, staff and volunteers kept showing up anyway. 

Our work reaches well beyond our own classrooms, too. We train volunteers, provide technical assistance to adult education programs and operate the ABE hotline for the entire state, and Northstar Digital Literacy helps people around the world build the computer skills today’s jobs require. 

I believe in this work enough to put my own money behind it, and I hope you'll join me in advancing the work we're doing. 

I’m hoping to raise $2,000 this Give to the Max, and I’ll match the first $500 myself.