Pilas Family Literacy: Access and Equity to Learning for Guatemalans in Cottage Grove
The rural town of Cottage Grove, Oregon, has experienced high growth in immigrant asylum-seekers from Guatemala. This population comes from a region where formal literacy learning is often inaccessible and families speak distinct Mayan languages. Lane Community College’s ESL program is collaborating with Downtown Languages and South Lane School District to provide a comprehensive family literacy program. This partnership leverages the funding and expertise of our programs to provide high-quality educational opportunities while supporting Cottage Grove, an underserved region. Family literacy programs are highly effective because they combine higher education and workforce with early education programs that help parents improve their life opportunities and support the developmental needs of their children, which is essential to ending intergenerational poverty. Family literacy programs also positively affect nutrition and health, school achievement and completion rates, navigation of complex systems, employment, and a sense of social belonging. In spring 2021, LCC offered its first Pilas Family Literacy Program.
Innovators
- Shelby Allread, Lead Administrative Specialist, English as a Second Language
- Indira Bakshi, Instructor, English as a Second Language
- Shannon Ball, Part-Time Instructor, English as a Second Language
- Anna Gates-Tapia, Dean, College and Career Foundations
- John Groves, Part-Time Instructor, English as a Second Language
- Kate Hachimoto, Part-Time Instructor, English as a Second Language
- Paul Jarrell, Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs
- Maggie Mitteis, Part-Time Instructor, English as a Second Language
- Aliscia Niles, Faculty, Adult Basic and Secondary Education
- Leilani Perez, Coordinator, English as a Second Language
- Jennifer Sacklin, Part-Time Instructor, English as a Second Language
- Jacqui Whisler, Part-Time Instructor, English as a Second Language
