Literacy Council opens new office space

The Literacy Council of Bonita Springs is growing quickly and the demand for classes has forced the center to acquire a new building on Old 41.

The 1,640-square-foot space won’t replace the two existing offices and classroom spaces of its current office, but will give instructors and tutors the ability to expand class offerings to the community.

“We are so grateful that we were able get the space because we need it. There are so many students that want English classes in the evenings,” said Susan Acuna, executive director of the literacy council.

Students will get many new offerings as the new space provides classroom space, a room for the ever growing Moms & Tots Family Literacy program, a kitchen and a director’s office.

“The extra space is good for us because we can provide classes for 20 to 25 more students in the evening,” said Diego Grisales, the council’s new program director.

Grisales was hired to oversee the offerings at the new site and keep things in line with the main office across the street.
Over the years, the council has expanded it’s services in response to Bonita Springs’ growing Hispanic population.

The nonprofit, which serves mostly undocumented immigrants, has offered free English classes since 1989 and in 2006 taught 1,379 students with 490 tutors.

“It’s wonderful that we have been so crowded that we have to get another space to fit everybody in,” said Patricia Shanahan, a tutor at the council for three years.

The additional room will benefit the council’s literacy program in which kids and their mothers are taught English and the differences in U.S. culture.

“It’s a very good program, thanks to them we have learned a lot of things like English, they helped us fill out applications and teach us how to handle money,” said Erika Vazquez, 29, of Bonita Springs. She is a member of the Moms & Tots Family Literacy program. “They have really helped us a lot. It’s incredible.”

Maria Brito said the program has been successful because of the council’s focus on enhancing lives in the community.
Brito, 25, and her daughter Scarlett, 1, of Bonita Springs, have been attending the Moms & Tots program for two years. and Brito herself has completed 312 hours of class time.

“How are you? My name is Maria Brito and thank you for my teachers and helped my confidence with English,” said Brito, to an audience during the office space’s ribbon cutting ceremony and second anniversary of the literacy program. “I can help my son with his homework.”

Being able to assist her son, Martin, is a big accomplishment for Brito who admits that her life has been enhanced because of the program.

“We are really blessed to get this building and we are blessed in so many ways,” said Katie Verna, the exiting director of the Literacy Council.

An unnamed donor has offered to pay for the first six months rent for the new space. After that time, the council will pitch in to make rent.

“We will find ways to pick up the tab but we are just happy that we can offer more services to the community,” Acuna said.