Our History

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1980's

1980--The first tutor training workshop was conducted to train tutors to teach English as a Second Language in response to the newly arriving Southeast Asian refugees.

1981--A small group of people formed the Literacy Council of Brown County, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and affiliated with the national literacy organization Laubach Literacy Action (LLA)

1983--The first workshop to train tutors to teach Basic Literacy was held.

1984-- A Tutoring Center located in the lower level of the Madison Monroe building was opened.

1988--The organization was volunteer-led until the spring of 1988 when the first two staff members were hired: Evie Jensen, as Office Manager and Tori Rader, as the Executive Director.

1988--The Literacy Council of Brown County receives funding from the United Way of Brown County.

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1990's

1991--The organization established an endowment fund.

1991-The first Program Coordinator was hired to oversee the growing tutoring program.

1993--The first Spelling Bee fundraiser was held.

1994--Main office is relocated to the main level.

1995--The Literacy Council expands its progamming, with funding from the Cornerstone Foundation, to offer its first ESL large group class.

1995--Later, the first ESL Class Coordinator is hired.

1997--ESL programming expands to 3 levels of classes with corporate support.

1998--Childcare was made available to students attending classes.

1999--A Coordinator is hired with federal dollars to begin the Greater Green Bay EvenStart Family Literacy Program.

First Executive Director Tori Rader retires. Jennifer Nelson is hired as next Executive Director

Literacy Green Bay's Tori Rader accepting the LLA Award of Excellence for Outstanding Literacy Program at the national convention in San Diego

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2000's

2000--Two new programs are created, Child Tutoring and Workforce Development, with funding from the Cornerstone Foundation.

2002--The Literacy Council of Brown County is recognized with the LLA Award of Exellence for Outstanding Literacy Program at national convention in San Diego.

2002--The organization also received the Mayor's Civic Award for Outstanding Community Organization.

2002--The Literacy Council of Brown County attained national accreditation.

2002--Our ESL classes receive AEFL funding from the state technical college system.

2003--Our first computer lab opened.

2003--The first Scrabble Bee fundraiser is held.

2006--We celebrated our 25th anniversary with an Open House.

2006--Our EvenStart Family Literacy Program is recognized with the First Lady Jessica Doyle Award for Family Literacy.

2008--Our name changed to Literacy Green Bay.

2009--Two volunteer tutors, Sr. Jeanne Jarvis and Sr. Carlotta Ullmer, are recognized as the Tutors of the Year by Wisconsin Literacy, for combined 10,000 hours of community service.

2009--First Executive Director Tori Rader retires. Jennifer Nelson is hired as next Executive Director.

Shelley Karnz is recognized as one of Green Bay Chamber Current's Future 15

Honoring Sister Jeanne and Sister Carlotta for their years of service.

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2010's

2011--Literacy Green Bay with Catholic Charities and NWTC collaborate on the Road to Citizenship project.

2012--Tutor Frank Czarnecki receives Merrill Lynch Heart of Gold at WPS Volunteer Award breakfast.

2012-- Jennifer Nelson resigns as Executive Director. Kathy Cornell named new Executive Director.

2012--Volunteer Marie Fonder receives Green Bay Packer Community Quarterback Award.

2012--Literacy Green Bay received Basic Needs Giving Partnership collaborative grant for the Children First Family Literacy program from U.S. Venture Open, J.J. Keller and Greater Green Bay Community Foundation.

2013--The downstairs tutoring room is renamed the Sisters Study Hall in honor of Sisters Carlotta and Jeanne.

2014--Program Manager Shelley Karnz recognized as one of Green Bay Chamber Current's Future 15.

2014--Literacy Green Bay receives the nonprofit Ethics in Business Award from AFCS.

2015--Executive Director Kathy Cornell receives the Brown County United Way's Excellence in Non-Profit Leadership Award

2015--Bess the Book Bus pays a visit to distribute books

2015--First Walk for Literacy held at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary

2016-Present

2016--Literacy Green Bay celebrates 35 years of improving lives through literacy

2016--Equipped for the Future Renovation project kicks off with a Wall Breaking Ceremony

2017--Our Classroom Renovation is complete.

2017--Literacy Green Bay is the Non-Profit partner for the 2017 Doctors in Recital show

2017 – Literacy Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College forge a formal collaboration to ensure learners’ college and career readiness

2018 – Robyn Hallet replaces Kathy Cornell as Executive Director after Kathy’s retirement

2018 – Literacy Green Bay develops its 3 to 5 year Strategic Plan

2019 – Kick off of Student Ambassador Program

2019 – Literacy Green Bay awarded the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce’s Special Accomplishments award in recognition of obstacles overcome to make the 2017 classroom renovation possible.