Indy Reads
  • ABOUT
    • Our Mission
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Sponsors & Partners
    • Latest News
    • Impact
  • PROGRAMS
    • Student Yearbook ’20-’21
    • Customer Service Skills Program
    • Literacy Foundations
    • High School Equivalency Diploma (HSE)
    • English Language Learners (ELL)
      • Want to Learn English?
      • ¿Quieres aprender inglés?
      • အင်္ဂလိပ်စာလေ့လာချင်ပါသလား
      • Veux-tu apprendre l’anglais?
      • هل تريد تعلم اللغة الإنجليزية؟
      • Queres aprender inglês?
    • Certifications
      • Customer Service Certification
      • Paraprofessional Training and Certification
  • BOOKSTORE
    • Hours & Location
    • Shop Online
    • Donate Books
    • Shop Audiobooks
    • Shop Merch
    • Consignment
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Join Our Team
    • AmeriCorps
    • Volunteer
    • Ways to Give
    • Submit an Event
    • Newsletter
  • EVENT CALENDAR
  • CONTACT
    • Prospective Student Form
  • DONATE
  • ABOUT
    • Our Mission
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Sponsors & Partners
    • Latest News
    • Impact
  • PROGRAMS
    • Student Yearbook ’20-’21
    • Customer Service Skills Program
    • Literacy Foundations
    • High School Equivalency Diploma (HSE)
    • English Language Learners (ELL)
      • Want to Learn English?
      • ¿Quieres aprender inglés?
      • အင်္ဂလိပ်စာလေ့လာချင်ပါသလား
      • Veux-tu apprendre l’anglais?
      • هل تريد تعلم اللغة الإنجليزية؟
      • Queres aprender inglês?
    • Certifications
      • Customer Service Certification
      • Paraprofessional Training and Certification
  • BOOKSTORE
    • Hours & Location
    • Shop Online
    • Donate Books
    • Shop Audiobooks
    • Shop Merch
    • Consignment
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Join Our Team
    • AmeriCorps
    • Volunteer
    • Ways to Give
    • Submit an Event
    • Newsletter
  • EVENT CALENDAR
  • CONTACT
    • Prospective Student Form
  • DONATE
November 13, 2018

Meet October’s IndyGo Student of the Month – Bethny!

Bethny came to Indy Reads after having fled oppression and a lack of opportunities in her native Burma. Her father came to America first, and worked hard to bring Bethny and her five brothers and sisters afterward. Together, the family has struggled through learning cultural differences and being “outsiders” in the United States.

Bethny made the decision to enroll at Indy Reads because she wanted to acclimate faster. She wanted to not just join in the workforce but to be a leader for her family and the community of Burmese immigrants and refugees in Indianapolis. Student Navigator Chris Simmons says she’s done all that and more.

“She’s a hard working young lady,” says Chris. “She always has a look of joy about her. She’s worked with IndyPendence Job Corps and is working part-time in retail to provide for herself and her family.”

Beyond her busy work schedule, she has been indispensable in the classroom. She helped teachers and other staff with translating for other Burmese students, and provided a wealth of information about Burmese culture that helped guide interactions.

“Burmese police do not have mercy,” Bethny says. “They take what they want; they kill people because the person did not provide them what they were looking for.” Understandably, Burmese students may be fearful of people in positions of authority, or be resistant to speaking up in class.

“Bethny brings a competitiveness and problem-solving ability to the classroom,” says Cindy, Bethny’s teacher. “She’s a performer — she plays instruments and sings — and she brings her experiences at work to class to help the other students.”

“Indy reads has given me conversational English,” Bethny says. “My English improved and I can use better grammar. The teachers are patient and want me to learn as much as I can.” The skills she’s gained while at Indy Reads have helped Bethny to graduate from IndyPendence Job Corps, and she’s making deeper connections at work as she’s learning to read, write, and speak English more proficiently.

And, family always on her mind, she takes schoolwork and lessons home to share with her brothers, sisters, and her hard-working father. We’re grateful to have Bethny in our Indy Reads family, as well.

 


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.

 

2018 Indy Reads Indy Reads Writes IndyGo Student of the Month
Previous StoryXantolo: A Harvest Celebration
Next StoryWhat is Thanksgiving, Anyway?

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

December

January 2023

February
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
Events for December

26th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for December

27th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for December

28th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Events for December

29th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
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

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for December

30th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

1st

No Events
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Events for January

2nd

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

3rd

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

4th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

5th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
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

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

6th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

7th

The author, Vincent Alexander, in a classroom. He is bald and has glasses. He is wearing a light gray tie and a collared button-down.
3:00 pm

Vincent Alexander: Ninety-Nine Problems

Indy Reads
Events for January

8th

4:00 pm

The Book to Film Club with Kan-Kan Cinema

Kan-Kan Theater 1
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Events for January

9th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

10th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

11th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

12th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
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

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

13th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

14th

No Events
Events for January

15th

Salmon-colored graphic that reads "Indy Reads Writing Series with Tea Franco & Samantha Fain". Tea Franco has shoulder-length curly dark hair and glasses. Samantha Fain has shoulder-length brown hair with bangs.
2:00 pm

Indy Reads Writing Series with Téa Franco & Samantha Fain

Indy Reads
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Events for January

16th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

17th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

18th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

19th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
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

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

20th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

21st

No Events
Events for January

22nd

Salmon-colored graphic that reads "Indy Reads Writing Series with Tea Franco & Samantha Fain". Tea Franco has shoulder-length curly dark hair and glasses. Samantha Fain has shoulder-length brown hair with bangs.
2:00 pm

Indy Reads Writing Series with Téa Franco & Samantha Fain

Indy Reads
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Events for January

23rd

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

24th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

25th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

26th

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
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

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

27th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for January

28th

10:30 am

Drag Story Hour with Prince Brentlee

Indy Reads
6:30 pm

New Year, New Poetry Slam & Open Mic with BOOTH

Indy Reads
Events for January

29th

Salmon-colored graphic that reads "Indy Reads Writing Series with Tea Franco & Samantha Fain". Tea Franco has shoulder-length curly dark hair and glasses. Samantha Fain has shoulder-length brown hair with bangs.
2:00 pm

Indy Reads Writing Series with Téa Franco & Samantha Fain

Indy Reads
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
Events for January

30th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for January

31st

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for February

1st

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-High School Equivalency Class

Headshot of Angela Hale. She has long dark brown hair, drop earrings, and is smiling.
6:00 pm

Federal Tax Support Workshop

Indy Reads
Events for February

2nd

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Anne’s High School Equivalency (HSE) Class at Indy Reads

Indy Reads
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

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class

Events for February

3rd

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class

Events for February

4th

Photo of author, Lindsey Frazier, smiling. She has blonde hair and a gray hoodie on.
2:00 pm

Lindsey Frazier: Oh Love, Come Close

Indy Reads
Events for February

5th

4:00 pm

The Book to Film Club with Kan-Kan Cinema

Kan-Kan Theater 1

WHO WE ARE

  • OUR TEAM
  • BOARD OF DIRECTORS
  • LATEST NEWS
  • CONTACT

WHAT WE DO

  • OUR MISSION
  • PROGRAMS
  • GET INVOLVED

ABOUT US

Indy Reads builds literacy, English language, and job readiness skills to empower adults and families to reach their full potential.

FOLLOW ALONG!

Indy Reads Guidestar
en English
ar Arabiczh-CN Chinese (Simplified)nl Dutchen Englishfr Frenchde Germanit Italianmy Myanmar (Burmese)pt Portugueseru Russianes Spanish