Women’s Literacy Network

The Women’s Literacy Network: Giving women improved literacy, leadership skills and the chance to help each other

The Women’s Literacy Network (WLN) provides mentoring, training and support for women to continue their education and seek employment opportunities. Women with GEDs tutor and mentor other women, as they work towards their GED.

The Women’s Literacy Network began with a group of women from Literacy for Life Coalition member organizations who wondered what if we trained women as literacy tutors to tutor and mentor other women who wanted to earn their GEDs:

Would this network establish a base of tutors on Tucson’s South Side who are familiar with the culture, values, and diversity of neighborhood women?

Would women who complete the program continue to support and mentor other women?

Would increased access to literacy enable women to become empowered, impacting their lives and those of their families?

The answer to these questions is Yes!

The WLN creates opportunities for literacy and leadership for women on Tucson’s South Side. Women serve as leaders and agents of change in their families and neighborhoods.

Women are empowered as they:

• develop interpersonal skills;
• network with professional women from greater Tucson;
• tutor other women; and
• participate in the civic life of the community.

The network grows when women realize their own potential and help others do the same.

WLN participants develop marketable skills that transfer to the workplace, enabling families to improve their quality of life. Neighborhood women inspire, teach and support other neighborhood women in a caring supportive environment. The WLN also provides a number of benefits for participants who successfully complete the program.

Women with GEDs who live or work in the Sunnyside neighborhood are eligible to become paid tutors, and women who attend Pima College Adult Education classes at El Pueblo Liberty Adult Learning Center are eligible for tutoring.

As a WLN tutor or student, you’ll receive the following benefits:

Tutors

• 20 hours of comprehensive literacy training in reading, writing, and mathematics
• Hourly pay
• Financial assistance for transportation and child care
• A resource Handbook for Tutors
• Bi-weekly mentoring and support
• Ongoing professional development
• Opportunities to acquire and strengthen work-force skills
• A letter of recommendation upon program completion
• Eligibility to apply for a $250 scholarship to attend Pima Community College
• Opportunity for continued growth as a WLN facilitator

Students

• Up to 30 hours of GED tutoring
• Bi-weekly mentoring and support
• Financial assistance for mentoring, transportation, childcare, and GED test fees
• Opportunities to acquire and strengthen work-force skills
• Eligibility to apply for a $250 scholarship to attend Pima Community College upon earning your GED
• Opportunity for continued growth as a WLN tutor

To learn more about the Women’s Literacy Network, please email info@literacyconnects.org!

To apply, pick up your WLN tutor or student application today at Pima College Adult Education El Pueblo Liberty Adult Learning Center Office located at 101 W. Irvington.

“When I started with my tutor I couldn’t write an essay; now “I can”.  I feel more motivated and secure to write one.  Women’s Literacy Network is a very good program to have.  With our tutors, we are one more step closer to graduation.” -WLN Participant

“My tutor is so concerned with my succeeding.” –WLN Participant