Indy Reads

Dear Friends, In our 40th anniversary year, we served 413 adult learners in our adult education programs who dedicated 22,975 hours to their education in our Community Classrooms! Our PY2023-2024 Impact Report has just been released, and you will find the impact of those hours spent on developing reading and English language skills, earning High School Equivalency diplomas, gaining hands-on experience in our workforce certifications programs, and shining as leaders in our community bookstore programming. It is thanks to our dedicated team of staff, teachers, board members, and volunteers who uplift each of our adult learners and community programs that we are able to bring our mission to life last year. In particular, it is thanks to a record 321 volunteers who demonstrated their commitment to literacy for all, giving 7,360 hours of service as tutors, bookstore helpers, and behind the scenes supporters of administrative and special projects. Friends, there is something special about the magic that is Indy Reads. We are what we are, because you are part of our community. Thank you for being a part of Indy Reads, for supporting us for 40 years, and for helping us to launch the next 40 years of literacy for all! With gratitude, Ruba Marshood Chief Executive Officer Read the full impact report at indyreads.org/impact.

Today is the International Day of Charity! Visit Indy Reads TOMORROW, 11am-7pm to donate your gently used books. Proceeds from book sales at Indy Reads help keep our adult education classes tuition-free for our students. Thank you for your support; happy reading! #DoGoodReadMore #LiteracyForAll

Our sincerest thanks to The Clowes Fund, Inc. for selecting Indy Reads as their most recent grantee spotlight! We are honored for their continued support as we advance social equity through education. "ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITY THROUGH EDUCATION (Fall 2024). For more than 40 years, Indy Reads has been working towards its vision of 100% literacy for all. Each program year, Indy Reads serves more than 400 adult learners in its tuition-free High School Equivalency (HSE), English Language Learning (ELL), Literacy Foundations, and workforce certifications Community Classrooms. Indy Reads also operates a community bookstore in Fountain Square that hosts more than 250 events annually and makes the joy of reading accessible to all. Since 1984, Indy Reads has maintained a commitment to serving the most beginning-level learners with the Literacy Foundations program. As 1 in 6 Hoosiers cannot read above a fifth-grade level, this unique program meets a critical need in the central Indiana adult education sector. Across all of Indy Reads’ programs, 95% of students are immigrants, people of color, and/or living below 200% of the federal poverty line. In its 2023-24 program year, Indy Reads served adult learners from 48 different countries who speak 35 different languages." Read the entire spotlight here: https://lnkd.in/gbKE7JnS

Indy Reads' bookstore is CLOSED today in honor of Labor Day. Our classes and office are open. To have books delivered right to your home, visit indyreads.org/shop. We will see you again tomorrow, 11am-7pm! #DoGoodReadMore #LiteracyForAll

Indy Reads is growing! We are seeking a part-time professional, detail-oriented Fundraising Assistant to support the nonprofit organization’s Development & Communications department. This 20-hour per week, $19-$20/hour position will assist with all things fundraising: database (CRM) management, fundraising communications, community engagement and stewardship efforts, event coordination, and more! Experience in fundraising logistics and data processing preferred. We are also seeking a full-time mission-centered and enthusiastic Community Programs Manager to enhance and maintain our bookstore as a community hub. This position is an opportunity to collaborate with our bookstore staff, community partners, and program team in enabling the potential of our community bookstore. We are also seeking passionate English Language Learning, Literacy Foundations, and High School Equivalency teachers for immediate placement. These 10-20 hour/week positions are great opportunities to create comfortable and positive learning communities virtually or in-person. Candidates of all education levels, backgrounds, and experiences strongly encouraged to apply. Apply today: https://lnkd.in/grt72VY. #DoGoodReadMore #LiteracyForAll

September is going to be a very busy month of literacy at Indy Reads! Please note that we will be closed Wednesday, September 4th. We have our Donation Day on September 6th, a new writing workshop on Saturday evenings, a Family History Showcase on September 8th, and that's only the first few days! You can view all of our events this month here: indyreads.org/events. Happy reading, and we'll see you soon! #DoGoodReadMore #LiteracyForAll

Thank you for a beautiful Indy Reads Book Club on Sunday! Get ready for our next Book Club, on September 29th at 4pm, by picking up your copy of Rebecca McKanna's Don't Forget the Girl here: https://ow.ly/jVnv50T7YPi. Happy reading, and we'll see you soon! #DoGoodReadMore #LiteracyForAll

We are so grateful to our community for their continued commitment to keeping Indy Reads plastic-bag free! We are in need of paper and reusable bags to help readers take home both new and used books from our bookstore. We accept donations of non-plastic bags during ALL open hours at Indy Reads: Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-7pm and Sundays 11am-5pm. Thank you for your support, and happy reading! #DoGoodReadMore #LiteracyForAll

On Sundays, we practice English! Join us this Sunday at 3pm to practice your English language skills while making new friends! Our English Conversation Circles are FREE, open to the public, and led by an Indy Reads staff member. Learn more here: https://ow.ly/NKnL50T5lIC #DoGoodReadMore #LiteracyForAll

One thing is certain: Hoosiers tell some powerful stories. Join us this weekend to find books by some of the Indiana Authors Awards nominees that we have on display. Join us NEXT WEEK, when the rest of the 2024 winners' titles arrive! Congratulations to all of the local authors honored this year! #DoGoodReadMore #LiteracyForAll