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    • Our Mission
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  • PROGRAMS
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    • Customer Service Skills Program
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      • Want to Learn English?
      • ¿Quieres aprender inglés?
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      • هل تريد تعلم اللغة الإنجليزية؟
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  • EVENTS
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May 16, 2019

Meet Candace: Building a Brighter Future with Literacy!

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Cyclical poverty is a burden far too many of our students have had to endure. All too often, circumstances far, far beyond our students’ control leave them without the education they need to pursue the opportunities — college, a reliable job, access to healthcare — many of us enjoy.

This month’s IndyGo Student of the Month, Candace, came to Indy Reads ready to break out of the cycle of poverty to create the future she wants for herself and her family.

Fellow Community Classrooms Student, Benita Abernathy working with volunteer tutor Juan Sanchez.

Candace’s struggles with reading became apparent when she was placed in special education classes in middle school, and though she made it through high school she still had trouble reading after she graduated. Her teachers had taught her enough to get by in school, but they did not help develop the resources Candace needed to truly learn.

“When I come to class now it’s refreshing in my memory; like, ‘Oh I know how to do that, but maybe I just didn’t hold onto it!’ I didn’t retain it.”

Still, Candace pressed on and enrolled with a local college; it was here that her lack of literacy skills became a major issue. “I had a hard time. I was there for a year or two and I kept failing my classes,” she explained. “I didn’t really succeed in it, because of my reading.”

Without the reading and comprehension skills needed to succeed in college, Candace was left with limited employment options.

She spent the next few years moving from one dead-end job to the next. Feeling stuck and frustrated, Candace decided to make some changes.

“I hit a dead spot,” she said. “I hit a wall like I want to do more. And, I have a child. In order for us to move somewhere in life, I have to get it done now.” Candace realized that in order to move forward she needed to get to the root of her troubles, saying, “I have to take care of the core, main problem, which is reading.”


“If you want to better your life and quit hitting that wall you have to start with yourself.”


After researching adult education programs, and finding it difficult to pinpoint a program that was the right fit, she came across Indy Reads. Once she spoke with student navigator Chris Simmons, she knew Indy Reads was the right place for her, “Right after I got off the phone I turned to my sister and I was just excited!”

Now in Indy Reads’ literacy classes, and having just completed our brand-new customer service certification program, Candace is an exemplary student. Her instructor, Sarika, says, “Candace is amazing! She’s an incredibly promising student. I feel very lucky that Candace joined my class!”

Indy Reads literacy students and volunteers taking a quick tutoring break.

Earlier in her life Candace didn’t even want to read. But now she’s beginning to experience the joy of reading and learning, spending time with her nephew and helping him learn new vocabulary and spelling. 

“Candace is new to the Indy Reads program,” says Chris. “She came in with a fire to better herself. She said by doing so it would better her family life. By stretching herself, she said she is learning that nothing comes easy.”

Candace realized that she needed to take steps to care for herself first. She says, “If you want to better your life and quit hitting that wall you have to start with yourself.”

 


Indy Reads is proud to partner with IndyGo to support students in the Community Classrooms program. Watch for more student stories in each month’s newsletter, and catch Routes 19, 38, or 39 to visit Indy Reads at the Central Library, or Routes 11 or 21 to visit Indy Reads Books! All route and trip information is available at indygo.net.

 

2019 Indy Reads Indy Reads Writes IndyGo Student of the Month
Previous StoryIndy Reads Awarded Grant from The Indianapolis Foundation
Next StoryIndy Reads Awarded Grant from Dollar General Literacy Foundation

Latest Posts

  • Indy Reads Announces Corporate Sponsors for 2022
  • Egg Hunt: Save the Date for April 16th!
  • Indy Reads Receives $125,000 Grant from the Margot L. Eccles Arts & Culture Fund, a CICF Fund
  • Indy Reads Receives $4,000 Grant from the Nora Roberts Foundation
  • Indy Reads Receives $10,000 Grant from the Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation

About

Our mission is to build the literacy, English language, and job readiness skills to empower adults and families to reach their full potential.
 

Upcoming Events

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Events for April

25th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

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Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

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26th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

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27th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Indy Shakes: What’s in a Canon?

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10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

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Stories/Cuentos with the Butler Bulldogs

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11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

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Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

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5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

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7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

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29th

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Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

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30th

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Drag Story Hour with Prince Brentlee

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Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with Susan Muaddi Darraj!

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Stories/Cuentos with the Butler Bulldogs

Indy Reads
2
3
4
5
6
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8
Events for May

2nd

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

3rd

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

Events for May

4th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

5th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

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10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

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9th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

10th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

Events for May

11th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

12th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

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Letter Writing League

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Sarah Griffith Lund: Blessed Youth

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10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

17th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

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18th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Spring Financial Literacy Series with Centier Bank

Indy Reads
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

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19th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

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20th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

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21st

1:00 pm

Indy Riot Reads Book Club – Detransition, Baby

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John Young: Fire in the Field

Indy Reads
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22nd

1:00 pm

Local Author Ross Carley Book Signing

Indy Reads
23
24
25
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Events for May

23rd

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

24th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

Events for May

25th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

26th

10:00 am

Yoga in the Bookstore

Indy Reads
10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

27th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

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28th

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Drag Story Hour with Prince Brentlee

Indy Reads
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29th

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1st

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Spring Financial Literacy Series with Centier Bank

Indy Reads
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Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

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World Environment Day with the Sierra Club

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