Our History
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.
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.
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.
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
