Our Impact

Summary Accomplishments in 2023 (as of September 2023):

Life Achievements

Eleven of LitNet’s Matthew and Hannah Keator Scholars have become American citizens. Countries of origin include Poland, Mexico, Ireland, Colombia, the Philippines, Spain, Ivory Coast, Korea, Peru, and Brazil. Four learners continue to work with LitNet tutors and are expected to achieve citizenship this year or in early 2024.
A Colombian learner received his Green Card and his U.S. driver’s license.
A Peruvian learner (a new American through the Keator Family Scholarship!) and a Colombian learner also became LitNet tutors.
A Guatemalan learner is now a participant in Mahaiwe Theater’s SCAN (Spanish-Language Community Advisory Network).
A Colombian learner who is a gardener has been working with her tutor to learn the English names of the flowers and trees she is growing and has invited her tutor for a garden tour (in English.)
Three learners have achieved their Massachusetts driver’s license, passing both the written and road tests.
An El Salvadorian learner purchased a home.

Employment

A Brazilian learner celebrated four years of owning her own business.
A Guatemalan learner earned her certification as an aesthetician and is now employed in the field.
Two Colombian learners were promoted to managerial positions.
Twelve learners have been offered new jobs.
A Colombian learner, who was a complete beginner English language learner in 2020, is now a case worker at the Berkshire Immigrant Center.
A Colombian learner was promoted to Lead Community Navigator at Central Habitat for Humanity.

Educational Goals

A Colombian learner, after achieving a scholarship with the help of his LitNet tutors, was accepted to and will attend the Isenberg School of Business at UMass.
An American learner passed the math portion of his high school equivalency exam.
A Colombian learner, through support from her LitNet tutor, participated in entrepreneurial workshops, moving her forward in her dream to open a business.
An Argentinian learner is working with her tutor to achieve her certification in translation and interpretation to position her for a meaningful promotion.
An El Salvadorian learner (Keator Scholar/new American 2021) has received three scholarships to support her studies to be a nurse and made the Dean’s list at her college.
An Ecudorian learner passed her high school equivalency exams and attended her local high school’s graduation ceremony.
An El Salvadoran learner was awarded a Positive Mindset Award by her community college program.

(LitNet served 287 learners in 2022!)

Life Achievements

Nine learners—originating from Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Mexico, Moldova, and Pakistan—have become U.S. citizens.
Eleven learners, recipients of the LitNet Keator Family Scholarship for New Americans, are working with a tutor to prepare for citizenship and are hopeful to receive interviews in 2022.
Colombian learner obtained her green card.
Three LitNet learner couples bought Berkshire area homes.

Employment

Brazilian learner opened a new restaurant in West Stockbridge (Amici’s!).
Ecuadorian learner is working towards obtaining her real estate license.
Cambodian learner was offered his first job in the United States.
Peruvian learner is waiting to hear about acceptance into Southern New Hampshire University.
Colombian learner was hired for a new job after doing role-playing interview exercises with his tutor.

Educational Goals

Two illiterate adults, one American, and one Ghanaian, are now on their journey to learn to read.
Ghanaian who is beginning to read successfully finished a storybook accompanying her primary phonics workbook.
Colombian learner entered her second and final semester for her mental health worker certificate at Berkshire Community College.
Latin American learner formed a club in her high school aimed at welcoming and including Latino peers in fun local activities.
Dominican learner was accepted into a Ph.D. program at Cornell University.
Latin American learner formed a club in her high school aimed at welcoming and including Latino peers in fun local activities.
Dominican learner was accepted into a Ph.D. program at Cornell University.
Colombian learner passed an intensive step in a scholarship application and was invited to proceed with the next step.
Mexican learner achieved her GED.

Summary of 2021 Accomplishments

100 +/- learners improved their English Language Skills
16 Matthew and Hannah Keator Scholarships for New Americans were awarded to prospective U.S. citizens
Five learners received a Diane Laurin Memorial Fund Scholarship, helping them to buy books or supplies to further their learning
Four learners became U.S. citizens
Two learners bought a home
Two learners reconnected with reading, one reading her first book ever, another reading her first novel in over 20 years
Learner who was a complete beginner English in early 2021 is now enrolled in a regular college program at BCC
At least one learner earned a driver’s license
At least one learner opened a library card