July 13, 2025
Imagine fleeing your home as a child because of civil war—only to have to flee again, and again. That’s the story of Zainab, a Seeds of Literacy graduate whose path to success was shaped by loss, resilience, and unwavering determination. A Childhood Marked by Conflict Born in Iraq, Zainab was …
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July 09, 2025
Avon Lake resident Bill Higgins is popular at Seeds West. As the “Cookie Ambassador” he brings sweet treats with him all three days a week that he volunteers as a tutor. Bill attends the afternoon session, so the cookies provide a much-needed sugar boost to students and tutors alike. They …
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June 24, 2025
On Saturday, June 21, Seeds of Literacy recognized the 137 graduates of the Class of 2025. Forty-four of this year’s grads decorated caps, put on their robes, and walked across the stage in front of friends, family, and supporters. Although unable to attend the event in person, Cleveland Mayor Justin …
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May 15, 2025
Adult education took the spotlight on May 8, 2025, when Seeds of Literacy hosted its most ambitious fundraiser yet — Legends of Literacy: Providing the Soundtrack of Success — at the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. (Presented by Carnegie Management & Development Corporation, with support from …
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May 12, 2025
This article originally appeared in Cleveland Jewish News in May 2025. SILVER LININGS: LENNY HOROWITZ For Cleveland Heights resident Leonard Horowitz, helping his community is in his blood – or rather, his blood helps his community. Horowitz regularly donates blood every eight weeks along side working with Seeds of Literacy …
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May 07, 2025
Each year, our celebration of Volunteer Appreciation Week concludes with a special event—a small but heartfelt token of our gratitude. Volunteer Coordinators Christine Lee and Bryce Cooney worked hard to ensure this year’s event was memorable. THE VENUE On Friday, May 2, Seeds served up scoops of gratitude—sprinkled with love …
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May 01, 2025
When Cleveland resident Maria Pelleschi retired, she found more time for the things she enjoyed: gardening with her husband (vegetables for him, flowers and herbs for her), racking up 3 to 4 miles a day on her pedometer, cooking, quilting — even teaching herself to crochet. But something was still …
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April 21, 2025
In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation each year, our program staff submit blurbs on stand-out tutors. It takes more than a bit of arm twisting because they don’t want to pick JUST ONE when every single volunteer we have is outstanding! But choose they must. It can’t be overstated: our …
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April 10, 2025
James Thomas Garrett III – aka Chef Jay Le Soul – is a private culinary artist in some of the city’s most exclusive homes and events. “This is the spread I made for The Whispers concert. And here’s me with Don King,” he says as he scrolls through his business …
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April 02, 2025
Silver Linings: Lee Markowitz (This article was originally published in the Cleveland Jewish News 3/28/25, Lydia Kacala) Solon resident Lee Markowitz has been volunteering since he graduated from college, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Kenyon College in Gambier and his Ph.D. in social psychology from Bowling …
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