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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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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
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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

April

May 2022

June
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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

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 April

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

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

Events for April

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?

Indy Reads
Events for April

28th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Stories/Cuentos with the Butler Bulldogs

Indy Reads
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 April

29th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Events for April

30th

11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Drag Story Hour with Prince Brentlee

Indy Reads
4:30 pm - 6:15 pm

Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with Susan Muaddi Darraj!

Events for May

1st

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Stories/Cuentos with the Butler Bulldogs

Indy Reads
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3
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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)

Events for May

6th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Events for May

7th

No Events
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8th

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Events for May

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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13th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Letter Writing League

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Sarah Griffith Lund: Blessed Youth

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15th

No Events
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Events for May

16th

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)

Events for May

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)

Events for May

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)

Events for May

20th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Events for May

21st

1:00 pm

Indy Riot Reads Book Club – Detransition, Baby

Indy Reads
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

John Young: Fire in the Field

Indy Reads
Events for May

22nd

1:00 pm

Local Author Ross Carley Book Signing

Indy Reads
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24
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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)

Events for May

28th

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Drag Story Hour with Prince Brentlee

Indy Reads
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29th

No Events
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31
1
2
3
4
5
Events for May

30th

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31st

No Events
Events for June

1st

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Spring Financial Literacy Series with Centier Bank

Indy Reads
Events for June

2nd

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
Events for June

5th

2:00 am

World Environment Day with the Sierra Club

Indy Reads

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