The Literacy Center of West Michigan is pleased to share an excerpt of the Learner Spark, Issue No. 3, now available as a free PDF download. Learner Spark is a learner-written magazine that features original stories created by adult learners across Literacy Center programs. Each piece reflects lived experience and is published in the writer’s own words, supporting literacy growth while honoring the voices and perspectives of the people at the heart of our work. Consider becoming a volunteer literacy coach today to support adult learners like Elizabet!

The Literacy Center of West Michigan is pleased to publish Learner Spark, Issue No. 3, now available as a free PDF download. Learner Spark is a learner-written magazine that shares original stories from adult learners across Literacy Center programs. The writing reflects learners’ lived experiences and is published in their own words as part of ongoing literacy development.

When Alexandra arrived in West Michigan from Haiti, she carried with her something powerful: a commitment to caring for others.

The Literacy Center of West Michigan is honored to be named 2025 Partner of the Year by West Michigan Works!.

When volunteer coach McKenna began meeting with Hong virtually in June 2024, it quickly became clear that Hong’s love for learning, and her love for her family, go hand in hand. A mother of three, Hong often has her children nearby during their virtual coaching sessions. Their cheerful interruptions are always welcome, until her coach gently reminds them, “Okay, time for mom to study English!”

At the Literacy Center of West Michigan, we help adults build the literacy and language skills they need to reach their goals. The Learner Spark is one way we celebrate that growth—it's our in-house magazine written by learners, for learners. Each story highlights the goals, challenges, and achievements of our learners in their own words. Read Jiyoung's story here:

At the 2025 Families Learning Conference hosted by the National Center for Families Learning, Grand Rapids was highlighted as a national example of strong Family Learning Community leadership.

Tabo is a participant in the MI Impact program at the Literacy Center, a contextualized English and healthcare career training program in partnership with Corewell Health.

At the Literacy Center of West Michigan, we help adults build the literacy and language skills they need to reach their goals. The Learner Spark is one way we celebrate that growth—it's our in-house magazine written by learners, for learners. Each story highlights the goals, challenges, and achievements of our learners in their own words. Read Olesya’s story here:

A groundbreaking partnership is redefining workforce development in West Michigan — and local media is taking notice. WZZM-13 recently featured the MI Impact program, an innovative collaboration led by the Literacy Center of West Michigan with Corewell Health and supported through the statewide MI Impact grant initiative. The segment highlighted how the program connects English-learning and immigrant adults to high-demand healthcare careers through a model that combines paid employment, English instruction, and credentialed training — helping to fill critical staffing gaps while opening doors to economic mobility.

When Jorge arrived from Cuba, he had a degree in electrical engineering but limited English. After taking Workplace English classes through his company, he advanced from the foundry floor to the R&D lab—eventually becoming Lab Manager.

With the Literacy Center of West Michigan, Praxis offers their employees customized ESL instruction aligned with shift schedules and business needs—helping employees strengthen communication skills, gain confidence, and step into new opportunities while boosting the company’s overall workforce.

We remember Ed for his quiet determination and deep commitment to literacy. Even in the face of serious illness, he continued to show up—ready to grow, connect, and learn.

Discover how our Family Activity Nights and Mornings foster meaningful connections, empower learners, and celebrate the joy of literacy in our diverse community.

The Literacy Center of West Michigan is helping redefine how adult education connects to community health. In a recent national conversation hosted by COABE, Executive Director Wendy Falb and former staff member Bree Straayer shared how West Michigan is pioneering a new model of health literacy rooted directly in healthcare settings.