OCALS celebrates year of growth with more tutors, board members
Organization wants to help meet literacy needs in community
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Pam Schuner, president of OCALS board, shows the cake served at their annual dinner Wednesday night at Medina’s United Methodist Church at the Grove.
MEDINA – Orleans County Adult Learning Services, more familiarly known as OCALS, celebrated continued growth and a new focus at its annual dinner Wednesday night at the United Methodist Church at the Grove.
President Pam Schuner welcomed guests, introduced the board and thanked them and staff for their service.
Board members in attendance were Don Colquhoun, Carolyn Wagner, Julie Keller, Jennifer Bansbach, Cathy Hooker and Kathy Punch. Not able to attend were Mary Lee Knights, Nicole Goodrich, Marie Snyder and Jackie Keller.
Schuner explained the annual dinner celebrated a new focus as a fundraiser and the agency’s need to “reboot.”
The effects of the pandemic were debilitating to OCALS and the services they provide, Schuner said.
“As our organization works directly in one-on-one and small group settings with individuals, schools and childcare agencies, the inability to provide our service during this time was devastating,” she said. “We were unable to enter schools or child care centers, and many of our tutors had reservations about tutoring again when the pandemic was coming to an end. Our funding was decreased and we were barely holding on. We decided we needed to turn the page, ‘reboot,’ and start over. We did just that.”
Schuner said they worked hard to become more visible and build new partnerships with county agencies. They hired Kathy Punch as Community Engagement Coordinator, and she is working to let agencies, schools, child care centers and other local organizations know about OCALS and what the organization has to offer. An added benefit is Punch’s ability to speak Spanish.
“Her work has been invaluable this year,” Schuner said. “We have grown our board of directors and the number of tutors we have, and we are rebuilding our school programs. We undertook a number of fundraising efforts, including book sales at Medina’s Community Yard Sale and the Orleans County 4H Fair; we had a basket raffle at Case-Nic Cookies; and we received funds from donations and Author’s Note book sale. As we prepare for 2024, we’re excited about our developing partnerships and new ideas.”
The program continued with two special recognitions.
Orleans Hub writer Ginny Kropf was recognized in a “Friends of OCALS Spotlight” for being a supporter of OCALS from its very start. She has been on the board of United Way of Orleans County for 25 years, serving as its secretary for 10 years. She wrote the first articles when OCALS was formed in 2006, describing the agency, its mission and the services it provides. She has followed its growth, as well as the difficulties suffered during the Covid pandemic. She has been an outspoken advocate for literacy in Orleans County, and is a true friend of the agency, Schuner said.
The second recognition was a “Lighting the Way to Learning Award” presented to charter board member Mary Lee Knights, who was unable to attend. Knights has been a die-hard supporter of OCALS throughout the years, serving as past president, tutor, tutor trainer, GED tester, evaluator and more.
Several supporters of OCALS were noted, including United Way of Orleans County. They are Lyndonville Foundation, Medina Sandstone Society, Author’s Note and Case-Nic Cookies.
The evening’s program ended by singing Happy Birthday to Allan Kropf, who was 90 on Sunday.
Before and after dinner, catered by Chap’s Diner in Elba, entertainment was provided by Indie/Folk singer, songwriter and guitarist Adrianna Noone, a Rochester native.
The evening concluded with a drawing for numerous gift cards from Case-Nic Cookies and Author’s Note bookstore, followed by cake and cookies from Case-Nic.
OCALS came into existence as a dream of Rose and Don Ruck, then residents of Clarendon. Rose had been involved with Literacy Genesee and Literacy Orleans, when the Orleans County branch ran into difficulty and was forced to close its local office.
The Rucks knew the importance of a literacy organization and were convinced Orleans County had a need for its own local literacy service.
“Orleans County has the highest illiteracy rates and so many adults, families and children who are struggling with basic literacy skills,” Schuner added.
In its early years, OCALS existed solely with an all-volunteer staff and minimal donations, in addition to financial support from the Ruck’s daughters.
Their first official funding was a minimal allocation from United Way of Western Orleans, when the county was served by Western and Eastern United Ways. Since that time, United Way of Orleans County has continued to provide much-needed funds to OCALS, one of 17 causes the agency supports in Orleans County.
OCALS services include family literacy, basic literacy, workplace literacy, TASC/GED and English as a second language. They have been welcomed into Lyndonville and Albion schools, as well as Intergrow in Childs.
Schuner added her thanks to those who support OCALS financially.
“Without you we would not be able to do the work we set out to do,” she said.
It is Schuner’s hope that every time someone attends a meeting, talks with someone at the grocery store or engages with family and friends that they keep OCALS in mind.
“Let others know we are here and we will support any and all of their literacy needs,” she said. “And whenever possible, encourage others to become volunteer board members or tutors. While we have accomplished a lot, we still have a lot more to do.”
OCALS welcomes donations and any volunteer interested in becoming a tutor. For literacy services or to become a volunteer, call (585) 590-1292 or e-mail ocals2006@gmail.com. All literacy services are free charge to anyone who needs them.
