News Articles
Improving Adult Literacy Changes Everything
Health, poverty, gender equality, ability to engage in community life– every important social issue is impacted by low literacy. When adults improve their reading, writing, basic math, language and digital literacy skills, they increase their ability to find and keep sustainable employment, improve or maintain their health, participate in their children’s or grandchildren’s education, and so much more! Here are just some of the remarkable milestones our adult learners have recently achieved by improving their literacy and language skills: *passed one or more subject tests on the GED *passed the test for U.S. Citizenship * obtained employment for the first […]
read more 2023 Finger Lakes Crossword Competition
This year’s Crossword Competition was a success! See all the winners and perfect puzzles at www.crosswordcompetition.com Thank you for your support!
read more TLP Library Page
Tompkins Learning Partners’ website now has a page dedicated to our library! You can access it by going to our “Resource” page and scrolling all the way to the bottom, or by using tlpartners.org/library
read more Volunteers Are the Heart of TLP
Volunteers have always been the heart of TLP, providing the majority of instruction for our amazing adult learners, serving on our board, keeping our in-house library in tip-top shape, and helping us with administrative tasks like mailings and preparing study materials. Though they tend to shy away from the spotlight, we'd like to give them special recognition for being absolute superstars amidst all the changes that the pandemic brought upon our organization. Their time, support, and care help TLP students achieve their dreams.
read more Congratulations TLP Students!
Each year, TLP students work with trained volunteers to build reading, writing, math, English language, digital and other skills in order to reach their personal literacy and life goals. Many have one or more jobs, are caregivers for children in their families or communities, or have other responsibilities in addition to studying at TLP. We are very proud of them for making a commitment to learn and grow their language and literacy skills alongside their tutors. Here are just some of their recent accomplishments: 15 students got jobs for the first time or improved their employment situations 12 students passed […]
read more Adult Education and Family Literacy Week
September is a big month for literacy that includes Adult Education and Family Literacy Week and International Literacy Day. This year, AEFL Week is September 19-25, 2021. International Literacy...
read more Covid-19 Information in Multiple Languages from the CDC & Tompkins County Health Department
The CDC has issued Covid-19 informational toolkits for refugees, migrants and other limited English populations. Online and print resources include guidance for large and extended families living in the same household, what to do if you are sick, how to understand your Covid-19 test results, and more. Informational handouts are available in Karen, Burmese, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Russian, Korean and many other languages. Go here for more information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/communication-toolkit.html Don’t forget you can also use the Tompkins County Health Department’s website to get Covid-19 updates and information: https://tompkinscountyny.gov/health Informational videos on isolation and quarantine have recently been added to their […]
read more Supporting Our Black Students, Tutors, Friends, and Community
Tompkins Learning Partners (TLP) embraces inclusiveness, diversity, and equal opportunity as core values. We understand that our community is stronger when the gifts of all people are respected, embraced, and maximized to build a healthier community. We stand for social justice and believe that everyone is entitled to basic human and civil rights, and that literacy is a key to fully accessing our rights and freedoms. We support our black students, tutors, friends and community and unite with them in working to end racial and ethnic bias, discrimination, and systemic injustice. Go here to learn more about racism, discrimination and […]
read more Did You Know?
More than 36 million American adults struggle to read, write, do math, or use technology above a third grade level. A recent Program for the International Assessment of Adult Literacy (PIAAC)...
read more Ithaca Asian American Association Launches Campaign Against Discrimination
The Ithaca Asian American Association is encouraging all Tompkins County residents to continue practicing safe distancing while treating all individuals with kindness and respect. They have also launched a local campaign against discrimination and hate to address verbal harassment and physical assaults on Americans of Asian descent, locally and nationally, along with links to report incidents of racism and discrimination. To learn more, visit their website: https://ithacaasian.org/ (image courtesy of Think Tank creative) Tompkins Learning Partners supports our Asian and Asian American students and tutors. They are our friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members. There is never any justification […]
read more Help for TLP Students and All Tompkins County Residents
For information on where to get food, transportation help, up-to-date information on COVID-19, or help with other needs, call 2-1-1 (or 1-877-211-8667). You can also get help by texting a local zip code to 898211. The Human Service Coalition has also put together a list of resources for meeting critical needs on their website: https://hsctc.org/coronavirus/ For more help finding food you can also visit: https://www.uwtc.org/tompkins-county-emergency-food-delivery-request or reach out to Mutual Aid Tompkins for food and other here: https://mutualaidtompkins.com/ or email: communityaidtompkins@gmail.com Please visit the Tompkins County Health Department’s website for more information on Covid-19, including testing sites and vaccination information: […]
read more What Does Tompkins Learning Partners Mean to You?
We asked students and volunteers the question, “What Does Tompkins Learning Partners Mean to You?” Here are a few of their responses: TLP is a place where I can learn at my own pace. [It’s] a place where I develop skills for self-empowerment and where learning is fun. TLP is great! Everyone helps me and especially my tutors. I feel good coming here and meeting with my tutor. When I come to TLP I feel warm. It’s like a warm shelter I can rely on. TLP makes me feel like I am connected with the real multicultural and diverse world. […]
read more Need Help Studying for the U.S. Citizenship Exam?
Tompkins Learning Partners tutors can help you study for the U.S. Citizenship exam. Tutors help TLP students practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing for the test. They can also help you learn the U.S. Civics and History you need to know to pass! To learn more, call us at 607-277-6442 or email: ESL at tlpartners.org
read more Ithaca Mural Tells the Story of Refugees from Burma
With the help of local artist Dan Burgevin, local teens designed and painted a mural at the corner of Seneca and Geneva streets depicting their families’ journeys as refugees from Burma (also known as Myanmar). The mural’s three panels tell the story of how these families escaped genocide in Burma by fleeing to refugee camps in Thailand. The idea for the mural came while the teens were on a camping retreat with the 4-H Urban Outreach and Primitive Pursuits programs. During a Diversity and Inclusion workshop, Karen and Burmese campers began talking about their experiences, and this eventually led to […]
read more TLP Receives Grant for Homebound Instruction for Refugee/Immigrant Women
The City Federation of Women’s Organizations (CFWO) awarded grants to 18 projects working to improve the lives of women and girls in Tompkins County. Tompkins Learning Partners received a grant for the project- Homebound Instruction for Immigrant and Refugee Women. Helen Ranck, ESL Program Coordinator, and Joann Kowalski, ABE Program and Outreach Coordinator, were on hand to receive the check. TLP’s funding will provide materials for students who are unable to come to our office to study due to a lack of transportation or because they have health or childcare concerns. With improved English skills, our home study students will […]
read more Support TLP using Amazon Smile
Support Tompkins Learning Partners with your purchases from Amazon by joining Amazon Smile: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/51-0234823 At no additional cost to you, Amazon will donate a percentage of proceeds to TLP, allowing us to purchase new learning materials and supplies for our tutors and students. Thanks for your support!
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