“A book is a gift you can open again and again.”
-Garrison Keillor
News And Events
Welcome!!!
We would like to welcome The Literacy Center of Harlingen’s new Executive Director Marina Preston. We are excited for new opportunities to continue serving our wonderful community.
Thank You For Your Service!
The Literacy Center of Harlingen would like to thank Director Linda Klowetter for 30 years of service to literacy efforts in Harlingen. She has served her post with passion, expertise and love for all who have walked through the doors during her tenure. Her loyalty built the organization to what it is today and we collectively can't thank her enough for all she's done. We wish you well on your journey forward.
Celebrity Roast 2023!
We had a fantastic time last night celebrating Maru De La Paz! Thank you to everyone who sponsored a table or purchased tickets in support of the Literacy Center. We are so grateful for your generosity.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to our newest U.S. Citizen for 2023,
Mana Mengling!
Here she is with her teacher, Lorraine Kertesz, along with the class celebrating.
Merry Christmas From The Literacy Center!
Congratulations to our newest U.S. Citizen for 2022,
Hilda L. Saldana!
Here she is with her teacher, Lorraine Kertesz, along with the class celebrating.
Our first ASVAB student, Kevin, passed his test with flying colors, thanks to his tutor, Marty.
Kevin is pictured here with the USAF recruiter, Anthony.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Thursday, September 8th is INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY. This day is observed to promote ongoing education across the world.
International Literacy Day was established in 1966. The main goal was to empower people to battle the various ills that are an outcome of widespread illiteracy.
It is estimated that 750 million adults worldwide are illiterate. In the United State alone, approximately 32 million Americans lack basic literacy skills.
This is a day for all to remember to support their local literacy programs, whether that be with financial donations or through volunteerism. Contact the Literacy Center of Harlingen to find out how you can help!
Volunteering at the Harlingen Literacy Center has been a wonderful experience. I have the pleasure of working with hard-working, kind, and outgoing individuals who want to learn English to use it in their jobs and communicate better with others. It is gratifying, and I genuinely enjoy making a difference in people’s lives.
Patti Muniz, Current Tutor
Today on August 18th, 2022, Leo Torres, a very nice young man from Back To Action Physical Therapy came by to make a donation. Thanks Leo! We appreciate your thoughtfulness & support.
Would you like to help those interested in serving in the military? We need tutors to help us launch classes to help with the ASVAB test! The assessment includes: science, math, word knowledge and comprehension, and basic electronics and mechanical comprehension. If you would like to volunteer to tutor in any, or all of these subjects, please contact the Literacy Center at 956-428-8883.
Congratulations to our newest U.S. Citizen for 2022,
Rafael Santiago!
Here he is with his teacher, Lorraine Kertesz.
Congratulations to our newest U.S. Citizen for 2022!
Mr. Angel Gonzalez
Congratulations to our newest U.S. Citizen for 2021!
Margarita Donato
Congratulations to our newest U.S. Citizen for 2021!
Loan Nguyen
CONGRATULATIONS to our two most recent G.E.D. recipients, Kari and Nick,
who both passed their math tests and earned their diploma!
Way to go…..we are so happy for you!
We wish you the best in your bright future!
Need help with GED Math and/or Algebra?
Math tutoring is available each Tuesday evening from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
A one time $10 registration fee and proof of Covid vaccination is required to register.
If interested, please call us at:
(956) 428-8883
#Giving Tuesday
Make a Gift Today on #GivingTuesday. Your donation WILL make a difference to The Literacy Center of Harlingen. Visit https://www.justgiving.com/harlingenliteracycenterinc to make a gift of any size. We are incredibly thankful for your support.
#Giving Tuesday
#Giving Tuesday
#Giving Tuesday
#Giving Tuesday
Ever thought of becoming a volunteer E.S.L. (English as a Second Language) tutor?
Tutor training workshops are generally held twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. These are all day workshops, held on Saturdays from 9AM to 4PM at the Literacy Center. The charge for this workshop is $25 (check or cash), which includes a book, all hand-outs and morning refreshments.
It is not necessary for a tutor to speak Spanish in order to teach E.S.L. (English as a Second Language).
If you are interested in registering for one of our workshops, or have further questions, please call us at (956) 428-8883.
The workshops are limited to 10 participants.
Two of our newest tutors, Bill & Jean, and trainer, Pam.
Due to the rise in Covid-19 cases,
this event has been cancelled until further notice.
THANK YOU Harlingen Lions Club!
The Literacy Center was unable to hold our annual Spelling Bee this year, due to the pandemic. But, the Lions Club chose to support us by hosting their own "mini Spelling Bee" at their weekly board meeting on Thursday, October 1st. The Club made a $600 donation to the Literacy Center; we are so grateful for your past and continued support.
Pictured left to right are: Charlie Kidder, winner, Linda Klowetter, Literacy Center Director, and second place finisher David Day.
THANKS AGAIN!
Thank you to State Farm and Christina Palomo for being good neighbors and rewarding the Literacy Center with a $5,000 grant. We are so grateful for your support!
Christina Palomo from State Farm Insurance, along with Linda Klowetter, Literacy Center Director and Board members Beverly Loftus, Diana Ikerd, Pam Magouirk, Anita Boswell, Laura Sheneman, Kristin Luckey, and Julie Fonseca were all present, together with Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell to celebrate this generous gift.
The Center operates on a very meager budget, so these funds will go a long way toward helping us to continue providing instruction and encouragement to adult learners in our community.
Thank again, State Farm, for believing in our mission!
2020 Celebrity Roast
What an awesome evening celebrating Dr. Bonnie Delarosa Villarreal! Thank you to all who came out to the 2020 Celebrity Roast. Our Roasters and Roastee were a blast, such a fun event! We appreciate each and every one of you!
To Dr. Bonnie, her roasters, and supporters,
Together we are making a difference in Harlingen! Your support of our mission is deeply gratifying to us, and we hope it is the same for all of you.
We were honored Dr. Bonnie agreed to be our guest of honor. Just know that each of your gifts has already started helping adults across the Harlingen and the surrounding areas reach their full potential by enabling them to acquire the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills (in English) they need to help themselves in their daily lives.
With deepest gratitude, and warmest wishes,
Linda Klowetter and the Board
Together we are making a difference in Harlingen! Your support of our mission is deeply gratifying to us, and we hope it is the same for all of you.
We were honored Dr. Bonnie agreed to be our guest of honor. Just know that each of your gifts has already started helping adults across the Harlingen and the surrounding areas reach their full potential by enabling them to acquire the listening, speaking, reading and writing skills (in English) they need to help themselves in their daily lives.
With deepest gratitude, and warmest wishes,
Linda Klowetter and the Board
Newest U.S. Citizens!
Meet the two newest U.S. Citizen for 2019:
Sergio N. Corona and Martha Marroquin
Congratulations!
Winners of the 2019 Great Killer Bee!
The winners of the 2019 Great Killer Bee spelling competition, the three talented students (Aaron Vidaurri, Daniel Saucedo, and Jehovah Garcia) representing Early College High School are presented with the trophy. Thanks to Lone Star National Bank for sponsoring their team! Congratulations!
Our Newest U.S. Citizen for 2019!
Our newest U.S. Citizen for 2019!
Veronica Guizar
Unfortunately, We had to say goodbye to Pauline Barylski, our tutor of 16 years. She is moving to Bristol, Virginia to be near her daughter. We thank her for her support, dedication and talents and we will miss her greatly.
Appreciation Luncheon 2019 at the
Golden Palms Retirement & Healthcare Center
The Literacy Center's annual appreciation luncheon was held on May 17, 2019 in the Texas Room at the Golden Palms Retirement Center and Healthcare. This annual event honors and thanks our volunteers and donors for their support.
Thanks EVERYONE for your past and continued support!
Thanks EVERYONE for your past and continued support!
View more
Newest U.S. Citizens For 2019!
We Are On Amazon Smile Now!
Donations to the Harlingen Literacy Center can be made through Amazon Smile now. For those that might not know, Amazon Smile is a website that offers the same prices, products, and services, but with Amazon donating 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. You can now support us every time you shop!
2019 Celebrity Roast
Thank you to all who came out to the 2019 Celebrity Roast! Our Roasters and Roastee were a blast, such a fun event! We appreciate each and every one of you!
2018 Great Killer Bee Contest!
What a fun night at our annual spelling bee!!! Each team did an amazing job. Congratulations to our top three winners of the 2018 Great Killer Bee Contest!
Appreciation Luncheon 2018 at the
Golden Palms Retirement & Healthcare Center
The Literacy Center's annual appreciation luncheon was held on April 27, 2018 in the Texas Room at the Golden Palms Retirement Center and Healthcare. This annual event honors and thanks our volunteers and donors for their support.
Thanks EVERYONE for your past and continued support!
Thanks EVERYONE for your past and continued support!
View more
29th Annual Celebrity Roast
The 29th Annual Celebrity Roast was a success!! Thank you all that came out to honor Jo Wagner and support the Literacy Center.
View more
2017 Great Killer Bee Contest!
What a fun night at our annual spelling bee!!! Each team did an amazing job. Congratulations to our top three winners of the 2017 Great Killer Bee Contest!
Newest U.S. Citizens for 2017!
Here are the newest U.S. Citizens for 2017!
OUR LATEST GED GRADUATE!
Aracely Sanchez recently earned her GED diploma.
CONGRATULATIONS! We are all so proud of you.
CONGRATULATIONS! We are all so proud of you.
United Way BBQ
United Way BBQ fund-raiser (May 10, 2017). Our board member, Pam Warner, represented the Literacy Center at this event.
NEWEST U.S. CITIZEN 2017!
This is Tere Z. DeFrais, our newest U.S. Citizen for 2017!
Appreciation Luncheon 2017
The Literacy Center's annual appreciation luncheon was held on Thursday, April 21, 2017 at Golden Palms in the Texas Room. This annual event honors and thanks our volunteers and donors for their support.
There were approximately 35 in attendance.
Three of the Literacy Center's board members attended, several tutors were there and three students spoke.
Thanks EVERYONE for your past and continued support!
There were approximately 35 in attendance.
Three of the Literacy Center's board members attended, several tutors were there and three students spoke.
Thanks EVERYONE for your past and continued support!
The 2017 Celebrity Roast!
Thank you to all who attended the 2017 Celebrity Roast honoring Dr. Linda Burke. It was a splendid night, full of laughter and just a few tears!
Your support for this event allows us to serve adults in our community with English as a second language instruction, basic literacy and math skills, as well as GED classes.
Your support for this event allows us to serve adults in our community with English as a second language instruction, basic literacy and math skills, as well as GED classes.
