Literacy to Work Featured in Sentinel

The Holland Sentinel carried a nice feature about one aspect of our Literacy to Work initiative.

The program was started earlier this year, and the article is about financial literacy classes  held in Holland.

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Jessica Materson Manages Literacy to Work Initiative

The West Michigan Strategic Alliance has named Jessica Materson project manager of its Literacy to Work Initiative.

Materson has a master’s of social work (MSW) degree from Grand Valley State University. She interned with Ottawa County Michigan Works!, where she was involved with the Adult Learner Providers of West Michigan and various other adult education groups and projects. During her tenure at Ottawa County Michigan Works!, Materson worked closely with area education providers to help develop career development programs for clients using services through Michigan Works!.

“I’m excited to have this opportunity, which will allow me to continue my involvement in promoting and expanding adult education programs here in West Michigan,” Materson said.

Working closely with project partners, Literacy Center of West Michigan and Grand Rapids Community College, the West Michigan Literacy to Work Initiative will expand the Making College Accessible pilot underway in Kent County with the help of a $550,000 Walmart Foundation grant received in April 2010. Future plans include expansion into Ottawa and Muskegon counties, eventually including all eight counties in the WMSA region.

To learn more about WMSA and our project partners, please visit:

 Literacy to Work Initiative

 Grand Rapids Community College

 Literacy Center of West Michigan

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