Winnebago Area Literacy Council outlines services, funding and barriers for Oshkosh newcomers

The Winnebago Area Literacy Council told the Oshkosh City Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee on Aug. 25 that the nonprofit provides English-language instruction, one-to-one tutoring and job-readiness services to primarily immigrant and refugee adults and is seeking more community support to address transportation, child care and funding shortfalls.

The presentation, delivered by the council’s executive director, summarized the organization’s programs, partners and impact and urged the committee and city to consider infrastructure and outreach changes to better include newcomers in city services.

The council’s executive director said the organization has been “actively serving in Oshkosh since 1989,” and that last year it served roughly “150 learners each week” across three sites: a downtown learning center, classes at Amcor Oshkosh North and a women-and-children program at St. Andrew’s Church. The director said the organization’s operating budget this year is “about $503,000,” and that…