Our Club enjoyed learning more about Fishes & Loaves Outreach and their inspiring story at our September 15 club meeting.
Since 1998, they’ve evolved from delivering furniture to people leaving the Sojourn Shelter to operating the Fishes & Loaves Literacy and Vocational Center (image above) on Sheffield Road in the Laketown area of Springfield, changing lives through literacy, education, and workforce training.
Barbara Rochelle (image below), Executive Director, traced their journey and impact, noting their program is needed because 15 percent of adults in Sangamon County are illiterate.
Renee Scott (image below), Co-Founder and Literacy Coordinator, spoke passionately about transforming lives through literacy, working with them on math, language, and reading.
Lillian Beans (image below), Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) Coordinator, highlighted the Pathways to Success CNA program, which trains nearly 100 students a year for health care careers. Three generations of students have already graduated through the program.
Michele Mele (far left in image below), Administrative Assistant, emphasized to our members after the presentation how many students complete the CNA program and continue on to become Licensed Professional Nurses (LPNs) and beyond.
Their Springfield Literacy Project pairs adult learners with tutors, while their workforce programs give people jobs, hope, and freedom to learn.
Please note that volunteers are welcome to join in their mission!