27th Ex Libris Event Once Again Inspires Audience

Thank you to the Sponsors of the 2016 Ex Libris dinner in support of adult literacy

Over 110 guests gathered at the Village Club in Bloomfield Hills on October 13th to hear best-selling author Johnathan Rand discuss the link between his writing and adult literacy. The Ex-Libris event, in its 27th year, is an annual dinner that supports the work of the Oakland Literacy Council.

Bestselling author Johnathan Rand shared how his books have inspired literacy efforts

Johnathan Rand, the bestselling author of dozens of suspense books for adults and children including the American Chillers series, shared a powerful and moving personal story of connecting with an adult learning to read through his books.

Attendees also heard from Ossie Tate, a student in the Oakland Literacy Council program who has made remarkable progress. Tate talked about his reading problem as, “one of the most shameful things I have ever experienced was not be able to read. The shame that I carried all of these years because I didn’t want anyone to know find out I couldn’t read.”

Adelia Cooley, volunteer tutor and Ossie Tate, student shared their literacy journeys.

Tate also relived his experience with his volunteer tutor Adelia Cooley, “She took her skills and sat down with me and got busy and came up with a program that really worked.” Cooley also shared her personal literacy journey that began in grief after the passing of her husband.

According to Judy Lindstrom, event chair, “It was a magical evening. It was wonderful being surrounded by people who support our mission and believe good things about people. Our student and tutor speakers captured the soul of our organization.”

Thanks to generous sponsors such as Oakland County Michigan WORKS and Rita Lindstrom, the event raised over $36,000 for adult literacy including over $1,000 in book sales that Johnathan Rand donated to the Council.

Additional books are available for $10 and can be purchased by contacting the Oakland Literacy Council at 248.253.1617.

The Council would also like to enthusiastically thank event chair Judy Lindstrom for continued and dedicated work that made the evening a success.

Lesley Tauro

12:43 05 Sep 24

I love being a English Tutor with Oakland Literacy Council on a one-on-one basis as well as for a conversation group. Through OLC, I have had the opportunity to meet so many incredible people, many who have become friends.

Cynthia Werstein

23:48 04 Sep 24

I have enjoyed my ESL tutoring with Oakland Literacy Council. We received training to help us, help our students. I feel like I can reach out for additional help if needed. Not to forget, they offer outside activities, on occasion, so that the students and tutors can do some typical, but fun activities! OLC is a great organization to volunteer with.

Lisa Burns

21:33 04 Sep 24

I've been volunteering with the OLC for about a year and a half, and it's been a great experience! I very much enjoy the tutoring sessions with the student whom they paired me with. She is a lovely person and I've learned a lot from her too. OLC makes tutoring easy for volunteers, with an easy-to-use curriculum, training, support, and social events. Highly recommend!

Qambar Ali Sarwari

19:50 04 Sep 24

Great team, motivational atmosphere, Thank you for your always support and help, especially the refresher training you provide to the tutors.Warm regards ,Ali

Brad Roth

19:07 04 Sep 24

When I retired in 2020 (in the middle of the covid pandemic) I wanted to find ways to volunteer. As a former college professor, I am particularly concerned about education and literacy. Working with Oakland Literacy Council has been a wonderful experience for me. The staff at OLC (particularly Laurie Weeks) is so helpful and appreciative. I've gotten more hand-written thank you notes from Laurie in the last four years than from everyone else throughout the rest of my life combined. Volunteering for OLC lets me give back to society but enjoy retirement too. I highly recommend it.

Kelly Turner

11:12 23 Aug 24

I would like to say How amazing Oakland literacy Council is I came in May To Continue my education and I thank god I found them they where at the bottom of the list when they should have been at the top of the list first off the staff is amazing they did everything by the book I did placement testing to figure out where to place me they took the time out to get the best tutors they also called and checked in on me and also motivated me to keep going and never give up they gave me the option to go online for tutoring or in person Stewart my tutor was amazing he took pride in educating me and never made me feel like I was bothering him patricia was amazing she stayed on me and stayed consistent they made me feel like familythe icing on the cake was how they acknowledged me on graduation day the whole team was there for me and my family and I was so happy and me and my kid's could feel the love it's nothing that I would not do for Oakland literacy I will be there spokesperson for life cause it's worth it and they have top notch tutors employees and the online tutor services is Phenomenal if you're seeking to continue your education look no more this is the place to go

Sanghee Han

11:59 22 Aug 24

I was so lucky to meet oakland literacy Council. Since OLC has been a great institute for me almost 2 years. And they helped my english improve and give me some good talking classes for learning new culture here as well. Now that I graduated from a reading program at OLC, I feel like I'm still with them. Really appreciate it.

BAIYANG LAI

19:36 15 Aug 24

In the past three years I learned English with Oakland Literacy. I met quite a few tutors in one by one tutoring and some conversation groups. Those tutors were so incredible and awesome! They really really helped me a lot in my English. My gratitude to all of them is beyond words!

jung min son

17:36 15 Aug 24

Thank you for having me with your excellent support.. I really enjoyed learning English and having conversation class with others. I made some good friends and I think Oakland Literacy Council is very good for people who need English support 👏 👍

Joseph Lee (Jo)

16:39 15 Aug 24

Oakland Literacy Council was a very good program for me as my second language. I evaluated my English ability through English listening and reading tests and matched my tutor accordingly. As a result, my English improved a lot. And most of all, it was free.