{"id":1198665,"date":"2025-11-05T15:58:35","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T21:58:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.poderworks.org\/?page_id=1198665"},"modified":"2026-01-13T10:22:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T16:22:41","slug":"fall-winter-newsletter-2025","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.poderworks.org\/es\/fall-winter-newsletter-2025","title":{"rendered":"Fall\/Winter Newsletter 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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PODER en Comunidad<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Advocacy Corner
Standing Together for Adult Education: Advocacy, Action, and the Power of Community<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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At PODER, we know that education is not just a\u00a0service;\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a right.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0the foundation for empowerment, inclusion, and community strength.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0why\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0raising our voices alongside advocates across Illinois to protect access to\u00a0<\/span>adult education,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>a vital resource that opens doors for thousands of immigrants and working adults every year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

A Threat to Adult Education Funding<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

As PODER Program Manager Brian Kopinski shared in his letter to local and state elected officials:\u00a0\u201c<\/span>This issue\u00a0hasn\u2019t\u00a0received much coverage, but its impact is enormous. The decision to withhold funds that were already\u00a0allocated\u00a0was illegal and unprecedented. Only after extraordinary advocacy from organizations, educators, and elected leaders across the country were those funds restored in late July.<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

While the immediate crisis was averted, the threat\u00a0remains. The federal \u201cBig Beautiful Bill\u201d passed later that summer\u00a0eliminated\u00a0future 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\u00a0participate\u00a0in civic life could disappear.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The Local Impact:\u00a0What\u2019s\u00a0at Stake<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

At PODER, the effects of these funding threats are deeply personal. Each year, over 850 students rely on PODER\u2019s adult education and workforce programs to build better lives for themselves and their families. These are our neighbors, co-workers, and community members,\u00a0people who clean our schools, care for our children, serve in our restaurants, and dream of becoming business owners, nurses, or citizens.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u201c<\/span>Adult education programs like PODER directly benefit constituents who live and work in our communities,<\/span><\/i>\u201d Brian emphasized. \u201c<\/span>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.<\/span><\/i>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Advocating for Change<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

In his outreach to policymakers, Brian highlighted successful models from across the country,\u00a0where organizations much like Chicago\u2019s own\u00a0Literacy Works\u00a0have\u00a0helped secure city, county, and state funding for adult literacy programs by connecting literacy to workforce development, public safety, and family stability. These innovative strategies\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0that new funding sources,\u00a0traditionally outside the literacy space,\u00a0can and should be\u00a0leveraged\u00a0to protect adult learners\u2019 access to education.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

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\u00a0identify\u00a0solutions and advocate for sustainable funding.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

How You Can Help<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

You can be part of this movement to protect and expand adult education access:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>