Literacy Minnesota

🎉 We'll be spreading some literacy love at Love on the Lawn (LOL) Lowry this Saturday!

Join us for an afternoon of music, art, food, laughter, and community in North Minneapolis. Stop by the Literacy Minnesota table to say hello - we'd love to meet you!

📅 June 6 | 12–6 p.m.
📍 Lyndale Ave N & Lowry Ave N
🎟️ Free & open to all

Bring a lawn chair, bring your neighbors, and join us for a celebration of joy, creativity, and connection. ❤️🌿📚

More details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2378283982683582

Our latest newsletter hit inboxes this morning, covering an update on how we're collaborating within the communities we serve, brief introductions to our newest board members, an opportunity to join our Summer Reads program as an AmeriCorps Vista Summer Associate, the latest update on our spring fundraising campaign, and more.

Make sure you're staying in the loop with us each month! We'll even make it easy and put the sign-up link right here: https://mailchi.mp/literacymn/grateful-6223683

Learning English sometimes looks like vocabulary practice, and sometimes it looks like a classroom game involving The Price Is Right.

Led by Teacher Jessica and our stellar volunteers at Open Door Saint Paul, learners practiced clothing vocabulary along with the words "more" and "less" by guessing whether different clothing items cost more or less than the listed price. There were plenty of laughs and teamwork along the way.

We love seeing the creative ways our educators make learning interactive and fun!

We get to see firsthand how hard ABE learners work every day and it’s nothing short of incredible. That’s why we’re excited to collaborate with Literacy Action Network on the 2026 ABE Student of the Year Awards.

Know a student who’s really shown up for their goals? Nominate them so they'll have a chance to win up to a $250 scholarship!

Nominations are open through May 30 👇 Check out the post below for all the details.

Literacy Action Network is proud to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 ABE Student of the Year Awards. In a collaborative effort with Literacy Minnesota, we have established new scholarship opportunities designed to recognize and support the exceptional dedication of ABE students across our community.

These prestigious awards highlight the perseverance and academic achievements of individuals within the Adult Basic Education program. For this year’s cycle, up to two selected students will each receive a $250 scholarship. These funds are intended to alleviate financial barriers and assist the recipients as they continue their educational journeys and pursue their long-term learning goals.

The winners will be officially recognized during a special presentation at the virtual ABE Summer Institute. We invite you to join us on Aug 12, 2026 to celebrate their hard work and success.

Nominations are due by May 30th, 2026.

Nominate your learners here:
https://literacyactionnetwork.org/news/abe-student-of-the-year-award-nominations-now-open/

🌻 Spots are filling up for Summer Reads, but we still need more friends to join us in our mission to support kids in Minnesota - especially at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities!

Passionate about education? Want to learn more about what it's like working with children? Just trying to earn some money for college?

JOIN US this year! Applications due May 10.

Questions? Contact Stevie at [email protected] 😎

Clubs looking for Summer Reads Mentors are: Al Lenzmeier West Side Boys & Girls Club Teen Center Jerry Gamble Boys & Girls Club of the Twin Cities Little Earth Boys & Girls Club John W. Hardeman III Boys & Girls Club Southside Village Boys & Girls Club Mt. Airy Boys & Girls Club

Summer Reads Summer Reads provides literacy services and mentorship to low-income children (primarily K-5) in schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations across Minnesota.

We ❤️ seeing Literacy Minnesota staff leading conversations that matter!

At this week’s COABE National Conference 2026, our very own Theresa Sladek will be presenting on Cybersecurity for Adult Learners, an increasingly critical topic as more of our learners build digital skills for work, life, and community.

Helping people access technology is only part of the work and making sure they can use it safely is just as important.

If you’re attending, be sure to swing by!

👇

I'm looking forward to presenting at the 2026 COABE National Conference on "Staying Safe in the Digital World: Cybersecurity for Adult Learners."

As the digital landscape constantly evolves and changes, so do the myriad ways criminals attempt to steal money and identities from unsuspecting victims. While teaching digital skills has a multitude of benefits, it is incumbent on instructors to ensure we also teach students how to stay safe in an online world.

We'd love to have COABE attendees join us as we look at the new Northstar standards, assessment, and teaching material on Cybersecurity

Hope to see you there!

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☀️ BREAKING NEWS: Summer Reads is fully BACK IN ACTION this year! Help us spread the word!

We're looking for THIRTY amazing people to serve kids in Minnesota communities. Are you passionate about education? Want to learn more about what it's like working with children? Just trying to earn some money for college?

JOIN US this year! PRIORITY given to applications received before April 20!

Questions? Contact Stevie at [email protected] 😎

Mobilizing for change is a collective and connected effort. We're so proud to be in a community that instinctually commits to this practice and denounces injustice. Whether you are working, volunteering or just resting today, we hope that you taking care of yourselves and staying connected to one another.
Equity and justice stand firm in Literacy Minnesota's core values, and we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy and celebrate his accomplishments that support communities closest to us.

El Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. nos recordó que la pregunta más urgente de la vida es:
¿Qué está usted haciendo por las demás personas?

En 1967, el Dr. King identificó al racismo, la pobreza y el militarismo como los “tres males” interconectados que dañan a nuestra nación. Llamó a una Carta de Derechos Económicos con empleos dignos, ingresos garantizados, vivienda segura y asequible, y una voz real para las comunidades directamente afectadas.

En COPAL, creemos en una visión similar. Organizamos e invertimos en las comunidades para que las familias puedan prosperar — y para que el racismo, la pobreza y la violencia no definan nuestras vidas.

Así es como seguimos avanzando el sueño.



Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us that life’s most urgent question is:
What are you doing for others?

In 1967, Dr. King named racism, poverty, and militarism as the interconnected “triple evils” harming our nation. He called for an Economic Bill of Rights — living-wage jobs, guaranteed income, safe and affordable housing, and a real voice for directly impacted communities.

At COPAL, we carry that vision forward. We organize and invest in communities so families can thrive — and so racism, poverty, and violence no longer define our lives.

This is how we continue the dream.