About

California Library Literacy Services Americorps Initiative

This Initiative is a collaboration between several different entities. AmeriCorps is a federally-funded program administered in California by California Volunteers, the State Commission charged with engaging Californians in service, volunteering, and civic action to tackle our state's most pressing challenges. The Pacific Library Partnership is the grantee and fiscal agent. Literacyworks is the primary entity that will communicate with sites and manage the Initiative's day-to-day programming and sites' financial/contractual aspects.

The Literacyworks AmeriCorps project staff will closely cooperate with California State Library/CLLS staff to support libraries and their literacy programs as comprehensively and seamlessly as possible. The Site Agreement is with Literacyworks, a nonprofit that has worked closely and successfully with the State Library and CLLS programs for decades. The CLLS AmeriCorps Initiative programming and training are provided by Literacyworks AmeriCorps staff. We wish to emphasize that Literacyworks AmeriCorps will be the first and primary point of contact for libraries and literacy programs.

Americorps Vision: The best of America

America was founded on a promise of opportunity. When we build stronger communities, we help make this promise a reality, for every individual to succeed. Especially in times of adversity, we find the courage to unite and overcome. Helping our communities prosper, head on and together. It’s what AmeriCorps is built for: bringing all Americans together. Working alongside each other for the betterment of every community. Ensuring that everyone gets the help they need, and the opportunities they deserve. AmeriCorps is your chance to be a part of something bigger.

Notice

This Americorps program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information and military service.

Lisa Thompson headshot

  • Literacyworks AmeriCorps Project Administrator

    Kathy has had extensive work with learners, volunteers, staff and programs not only across California, but also the country. She has tutored and taught adult basic literacy and ESL learners, directed volunteer-based adult literacy programs, and trained tutors, teachers and administrators at the state, regional and national levels. She also developed training curriculum and managed large-scale projects for a variety of organizations on the topics of learner persistence, reducing learner waiting lists, improving community referral systems, integrating adult literacy into libraries, and best practices for teaching and learning reading and writing skills. She has also done many trainings on research-based best practices for teaching adults with learning disabilities.

    The opportunity to work with AmeriCorps members and libraries across California to build CLLS programs’ capacity sounds very exciting to her. In 2022, she enjoyed working with 74 CLLS tutors and program staff from 42 CLLS programs across the state during an LSTA project. This experience has reminded her of the amazing feats that a collective of enthusiastic, well-trained, committed people can accomplish. She welcomes the opportunity to contribute her experience and exuberance to the new Literacyworks/AmeriCorps Initiative.

  • AmeriCorps Administrative Coordinator

    Lisa has been employed with Literacyworks as an Administrative Development Coordinator. She greatly enjoyed working for this organization and admires the success Literacyworks has had in creating and supporting literacy programs and engaging community member involvement.

    She has coordinated volunteer programs and produced events over the last 10 years. She has also been an active volunteer for 25 years for various events and non-profit organizations. As a Volunteer Coordinator for entities in Sonoma County, she recruited, trained, evaluated and managed both small and large groups (600+) of volunteers. She enjoys creating and maintaining databases and building volunteer websites. She absolutely loves connecting with people, learning, and supporting programs that foster literacy and education and develop stronger community members.

  • Literacyworks Executive Director

    Paul oversees all Literacyworks projects including the Literacyworks Americorps Initiative and the Literacyworks Center. As Executive Director of Literacyworks, he provides oversight of activities providing literacy instructional curriculum design and development, online adult education, and technical assistance to state adult education directors, adult and family literacy resource centers, adult education schools, and library literacy programs. He manages the fiscal, grant, and board functions of Literacyworks.

Staff