Facing Possible Cuts, a Detroit Adult Literacy Program Is Having a Fundraiser To Help Keep the Doors Open

The Siena Literacy Center for adults in Detroit, whose funding is being threatened by federal and state cuts, is holding a fundraiser on Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Bayview Yacht Club, at 100 Clairpointe St., Detroit.

The nonprofit, which has been in existence for 30 years, helps adults with everyday living by teaching reading, writing, math, and English as a second language. The center serves more than 300 students each year.

“We’re celebrating three decades of helping people with reading, math, and digital literacy skills so they can meet the challenges of daily living,” said Caitlyn Pisarski, Siena Literacy Center’s executive director, in a statement. “Our goal is to continue this work that was established as a ministry of the Adrian Dominican Sisters.”

The center's main location is at the Christ the King Campus at 16800 Trinity St. in northwest Detroit. It also has a space for GED classes at the St. Suzanne Cody Rouge Community Resource Center, located at 19321 W. Chicago in Detroit.

The fundraiser, titled Lavender Nights, runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The evening includes cocktails, appetizers, live music, a silent auction, and testimonials from students and tutors.

Tickets cost between $60 and $1,000. To purchase a ticket, click here.

To mark the 30th anniversay, the center also has a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser planned for Friday, Oct. 17, at Koelzer Hall at 20800 Grand River, Detroit. Tickets have yet to go on sale.

The center's achievements include:

• Surpassing the State of Michigan’s performance benchmark for adult education, based on quantitative pre- and post-test scores.
• Establishing a certified nursing assistant training program—an in-demand profession—for language learners in partnership with Nursing Detroit.
• Launching a GED program at the St. Suzanne Cody Rouge Community Resource Center, and graduating two learners.
• Successfully completing two tutoring contracts with the City of Detroit’s Skills for Life and Learn to Earn programs.
• Hiring its first staff member fluent in French and Wolof—languages common to many of Siena Literacy Center’s students for whom English is a second or third language.

To mark the center's 30th anniversary, a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser is set for Friday, Oct. 17. at Koelzer Hall at Christ the King Campus 20800 Grand River, Detroit.