The Literacy Center of West Michigan was among ten large nonprofits getting one-time grant funds of up to two million dollars to create or expand programming that lifts Michiganders out of poverty.
Dr. Wendy Falb is the executive director for the Literacy Center of West Michigan. She says this grant is a game changer. She says they instruct over 1100 individuals every year, most of which are immigrants and refugees, who have what she says is a “ton of talent.”
“But English language proficiency and the capacity and the means to get the kind of skilled training they need to get jobs is a barrier, so this is going to bridge this talent gap and we’re very excited about it.”
Dr. Falb says the Literacy Center leads a collaboration with Corewell Health, Grand Rapids Community College and WMCAT.
The LEO grant will help the center expand its integrated Education and Training programs, helping to build that skilled workforce through a mixture of technical training and English language instruction, which Dr. Falb says no one else is really doing.
“I think we’re used to idea of mid-level and professional employees getting training on the job but we need to start looking at those entry level employees and those front line while working full time and take a look at value immigrants and refugees are in the county.”
Dr. Falb says as soon as the state provides the funding, they will hit the ground running.
