WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Marathon County’s Literacy Council Inc. held a ribbon cutting with the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce Tuesday to celebrate the opening of their expanded space in the Salvation Army building.
Executive Director Connie Heidemann says the added space will allow her team to better serve those who need help developing skills to help them in the workforce. “We have a computer center, a game area, special testing areas, and we have room for people to be able to talk and not be heard by other people. We’re excited,” she said.
McLit works with tutors to help those who may need to further develop skills such as reading and writing, counting change, or even just learning the basic skills of the English language. Heidemann says they also work with individuals to prepare them for GED testing. “Our mission is to improve our quality of life,” she added.
The group will maintain their base in the Wausau branch of the Marathon County Public Library in addition to the expanded learning areas at the Salvation Army building on Callon Street.
Heideman says they work with people from all walks of life who need to improve their basic job skills. That includes those who may have come from other countries to settle in Wausau. “I have someone who moved here from Morroco, and we’ve taught her enough English so far that she has actually just gotten a job. We are still working with her because she hopes to get a Drivers License [as well].”
Others might need help learning to count money or make change. She says others may be in need of improved written or verbal skills.
To help fill out the new space McLit is looking to bring in those willing to tutor those in need and fill other various jobs. Anyone interested in helping should call Heidemann at 715-679-6170 or stop by their location near the main desk of the Marathon County Public Library Wausau branch. Information for those wanting or needing services through McLit is also available there.
