top of page
1980-1989
Tutor Training
1980: The first tutor training workshop is conducted to train tutors to teach English as a Second Language in response to the newly-arriving Southeast Asian refugees. (Use the arrows above to see other photos.)
Each One, Teach One
1981: A small group of people forms the Literacy Council of Brown County, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and affiliates with the national literacy organization Laubach Literacy Action (LLA).
A New Home
1983: The first workshop to train tutors to teach Basic Literacy iss held.
'
1984: A Tutoring Center located in the lower level of the Madison Monroe building is opened.
Library for Literacy
1986: Our tutor lending library, which now hosts thousands of books.
New Leadership
1988: The organization is volunteer-led until the spring of 1988 when the first two staff members are hired: Evie Jensen, as Office Manager and Tori Rader, as the Executive Director.
1988: The Literacy Council of Brown County receives funding from the United Way of Brown County.
The Work Continues
A picture of an early tutoring pair.
Building a Legacy
1989: The organization establishes an endowment fund after the passing of long-time supporter Thomas P. Brogan.
1990-1999
Programs Expand
1991: The first Program Coordinator is hired to oversee the growing tutoring program.
Spelling Bee
1993: The first Spelling Bee fundraiser is held.
Room to Grow
1994: Main office is relocated to 1st floor of the Madison-Monroe Building.
Better Together
1995: The Literacy Council expands its programming, with funding from the Cornerstone Foundation, to offer its first ESL large group class.
.jpg)
Class Program Grows
1995: The first ESL Class Coordinator is hired.
A Class Act
1997: ESL programming expands to 3 levels of classes with corporate support.
Family Focus
1998: Childcare is made available to students attending classes.
Futures for Families
1999: A coordinator is hired with federal dollars to begin the Greater Green Bay EvenStart Family Literacy Program.
2000-2010
New Programs
2000: Two new programs are created, Child Tutoring and Workforce Development, with funding from the Cornerstone Foundation.
Best in Show
2002: The Literacy Council of Brown County is recognized with the LLA Award of Excellence for Outstanding Literacy Program at a national convention in San Diego. The organization also received the Mayor's Civic Award for Outstanding Community Organization.
2002: The Literacy Council of Brown County attains national accreditation.
A Year of Firsts
2003: The first Scrabble Bee fundraiser is held.
2003: Our first computer lab opens.
Happy Anniversary!
2006: Literacy Green Bay celebrates its 25th anniversary! Our EvenStart Family Literacy Program is recognized with the First Lady Jessica Doyle Award for Family Literacy.
By Any Other Name
2008: Our name is changed from Literacy Council of Brown County to Literacy Green Bay.
Stellar Sisters
2009: Two volunteer tutors, Sr. Jeanne Jarvis and Sr. Carlotta Ullmer, are recognized as the Tutors of the Year by Wisconsin Literacy, for combined 10,000 hours of community service.
New Direction
2009: First Executive Director Tori Rader retires. Jennifer Nelson is hired as next Executive Director.
2010-2020
Heart of Gold
2012: Tutor Frank Czarnecki receives Merrill Lynch Heart of Gold at WPS Volunteer Award breakfast.
New Direction
2012: Jennifer Nelson resigns as Executive Director. Kathy Cornell named new Executive Director.
Ethics in Action
2014: Literacy Green Bay receives the nonprofit Ethics in Business Award from AFCS.
Walk for Literacy
2015: First Walk for Literacy held at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.
Built to Last
2016-2017: Equipped for the Future Renovation project kicks off with a Wall Breaking Ceremony. Renovation is completed in 2017.
Music for a Cause
2017: Literacy Green Bay is the Non-Profit partner for the 2017 Doctors in Recital show
Soaring Higher
2017: Literacy Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College forge a formal collaboration to ensure learners’ college and career readiness.
New Direction
2018: Robyn Hallet replaces Kathy Cornell as Executive Director after Kathy’s retirement
Overcoming Obstacles
2019: Literacy Green Bay is awarded the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce’s Special Accomplishments award in recognition of obstacles overcome to make the 2017 classroom renovation possible.
2020-Present
Safer at Home
2020: Literacy Green Bay moves all programs online to keep students safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
40 Years of Literacy
2021: Literacy Green Bay celebrates its 40th anniversary while adhering to pandemic guidelines.
A Digital Workforce
2022: Literacy Green Bay establishes its digital literacy program to serve the changing needs of students.
_edited.jpg)
New Direction
2023: Eric Sponholtz becomes Literacy Green Bay’s new executive director, replacing Robyn Hallet.
bottom of page