PODER en Comunidad
Advocacy Corner
Standing Together for Adult Education: Advocacy, Action, and the Power of Community
Standing Together for Adult Education: Advocacy, Action, and the Power of Community
At PODER, we know that education is not just a service; it’s a right. It’s the foundation for empowerment, inclusion, and community strength. That’s why we’re raising our voices alongside advocates across Illinois to protect access to adult education, a vital resource that opens doors for thousands of immigrants and working adults every year.
A Threat to Adult Education Funding
This summer, the federal government made an unprecedented move that shook the field of adult education nationwide. On June 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education notified state agencies that it would withhold FY26 funds for Adult Education State Grants and Integrated English Language and Civics Education programs, funds that had already been approved by Congress.
As PODER Program Manager Brian Kopinski shared in his letter to local and state elected officials: “This issue hasn’t received much coverage, but its impact is enormous. The decision to withhold funds that were already allocated was illegal and unprecedented. Only after extraordinary advocacy from organizations, educators, and elected leaders across the country were those funds restored in late July.”
While the immediate crisis was averted, the threat remains. The federal “Big Beautiful Bill” passed later that summer eliminated future funding for literacy and adult education programs altogether. Similar rollbacks have already affected digital equity and workforce development initiatives. Without intervention, the programs that help adults learn English, gain job skills, and fully participate in civic life could disappear.
The Local Impact: What’s at Stake
At PODER, the effects of these funding threats are deeply personal. Each year, over 850 students rely on PODER’s adult education and workforce programs to build better lives for themselves and their families. These are our neighbors, co-workers, and community members, people who clean our schools, care for our children, serve in our restaurants, and dream of becoming business owners, nurses, or citizens.
“Adult education programs like PODER directly benefit constituents who live and work in our communities,” Brian emphasized. “They increase the safety, wellbeing, and holistic development of immigrants and refugees across the city and county. But without a plan to replace federal funding, these programs might be forced to close.”
Advocating for Change
In his outreach to policymakers, Brian highlighted successful models from across the country, where organizations much like Chicago’s own Literacy Works have helped secure city, county, and state funding for adult literacy programs by connecting literacy to workforce development, public safety, and family stability. These innovative strategies demonstrate that new funding sources, traditionally outside the literacy space, can and should be leveraged to protect adult learners’ access to education.
Locally, PODER and partner organizations are carrying that advocacy forward. A special Adult Education Advocacy Meeting and Presentation is scheduled for November 6, where community leaders, elected officials, and allies will come together to identify solutions and advocate for sustainable funding.
How You Can Help
You can be part of this movement to protect and expand adult education access:
- Contact your local elected officials and share why adult education matters to you.
- Join us on November 6 for our advocacy meeting to show your support for continued funding and stay tuned for next steps.
- Share our advocacy messages on social media using the hashtag #InvestInAdultEd.
- Support PODER’s programs through donations, volunteerism, or partnerships that sustain our mission.
Together, we can ensure that every adult learner in Chicago has the opportunity to learn, lead, and live with dignity.
Educator Spotlight
Berenice’s Story: From Dream to Empowerment
For Berenice, teaching isn’t just a career, it’s the realization of a lifelong dream born from perseverance, purpose, and deep compassion. Inspired by her father’s immigrant journey to master English, she grew up understanding the power of language to open doors, transform lives, and build bridges across cultures. That memory became her north star.
After years of dedication in Chicago Public Schools supporting K–8 students, Berenice joined PODER’s Integrated English team in 2024, finally stepping into the role she had long envisioned: leading her own classroom. But for her, teaching goes far beyond grammar and vocabulary. It’s about liberation. It’s about helping adults find their voice, reclaim their confidence, and realize their power.
In her classroom, learning is a shared journey. “Here, we support each other,” she reminds her students with warmth and conviction. “Aquí nos apoyamos.” Her classroom radiates belonging, a place where struggle turns into strength and every mistake becomes a step toward mastery.
Her students don’t just learn English, they learn to believe in themselves. One woman who once doubted her potential now speaks up boldly, has earned her GED, and is preparing to become an occupational therapist. Stories like these fuel Berenice’s drive and affirm her belief that education is a tool of empowerment and independence.
Berenice reflects, her voice steady with pride. “Now, I carry that legacy forward. My goal is to help my students see what I see in them, the courage, brilliance, and resilience that were there all along.”
Through her work, Berenice embodies PODER’s mission to build a more just and inclusive society, one where every learner is seen, supported, and inspired to dream bigger, rise higher, and stand stronger.
Student Member Spotlight
Dreaming Beyond English: Maty’s Journey of Leadership and Resilience
At PODER, we believe every learner carries within them a story of courage and transformation. Today, we are honored to celebrate one of those stories, Maty’s. Her unwavering commitment recently earned her the Beyond Books Student Achievement Award at scaleLIT’s 2025 awards gala, a testament to perseverance, leadership, and community.
When Maty joined PODER, she brought more than curiosity, she brought conviction. As class secretary for her Level 4 English course, she became a bridge between her classmates and instructors, ensuring everyone felt seen, supported, and connected. It was a time when many in our community navigated fear and uncertainty amid a divisive political climate, but Maty chose to lead with unity and hope.
Her determination didn’t stop there. Maty advanced to Level 5, PODER’s highest ESL class, and completed our Career Exploration Bridge course, deepening her digital and workforce-readiness skills. Along the way, she inspired her classmates to dream bigger, push harder, and believe in their ability to thrive beyond barriers.
What makes this recognition even more meaningful is the context of the Beyond Books 2025 awards hosted by scaleLIT on October 8, 2025. The evening honored adult-education leaders, digital-inclusion advocates, and courageous learners from across Chicagoland. One of the featured award winners was Kyla Williams Tate, Director of Digital Equity for the Cook County Office of the President, who received the Literacy Leader Award in recognition of her leadership advancing access to digital literacy and inclusion. scaleLIT also honored a practitioner, Shannon Distel of Trellus, and recognized Maty for her outstanding growth and impact among adult learners.
Maty’s story embodies what makes PODER’s mission so powerful: the transformation that happens when individuals gain the tools, confidence, and community to rewrite their future.
Congratulations, Maty, and thank you to scaleLIT for shining a spotlight on adult learners who remind us that education is not just about language; it’s about liberation, growth, and belonging
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Take the Next Step with Us
At PODER, we believe real change begins with bold steps—and every step forward is stronger when we take it together. Whether you’re ready to volunteer, collaborate, donate, or simply stay informed, your involvement helps shape a more empowered and connected community.
Every connection brings us closer to the future we’re building—together.
Let’s build together. Let’s grow together. Let’s rise together.