About Us

Our Mission, Vision, and Values

Our Mission

Provide free, personalized education to empower adults to thrive in our community.

Our Vision

Seeds of Literacy will deliver quality education that inspires a desire for a lifetime of learning. Seeds will provide an up-to-date, well-resourced program that meets the needs of our students. In partnership with other organizations, Seeds will be influential in breaking the cycle of poverty by strengthening our community through the transformed lives of our students. 

Our Values

  • Respect: We believe in the dignity of all and value the worth and potential of each person we serve.
  • Inclusiveness: We appreciate and understand the rich culture and heritage of all we serve.
  • Excellence: We deliver outstanding programs in the field of literacy, and we strive to implement the best practices.
  • Compassion: We guide students with patience and understanding while providing an environment that encourages learning and creativity.
  • Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest personal and professional standards and are guided by honesty, candor, and fairness in all our relationships.

What We Do

  • GED® / HiSET preparation and basic education for adults, completely free of charge
  • One-to-one tutoring that provides personalized attention and support for maximized learning
  • A unique curriculum designed to meet the specific needs of each individual student
  • A flexible class schedule
  • Year-round, open enrollment
  • Our unique program now offered online! Two ways to learn: Physical Classroom & Virtual Classroom

Awards & Recognition

Awards & Recognitions

Only adult literacy program in Ohio nationally accredited by ProLiteracy

  • 2024 Top 50 Women Leaders of Ohio – Bonnie Entler – Women We Admire
  • 2024 Ohio Success Award from Ohio Business Magazine
  • 2024 Crain’s Notable Nonprofit Board Leader – Mark Yanochko
  • 2023 OAACE Instructor of the Year – Kara Krawiec
  • 2023 OAACE Support Staff of the Year – Cindy Rodriguez
  • 2023 State of Ohio Northeast Region Outstanding Adult Educator of the Year: Becca Huntington
  • 2023 State of Ohio Northeast Region Outstanding Adult Students of the Year: Sadie Anderson & Shakeiya Edwards
  • 2023 Crain’s Notables in Education Leadership – Bonnie Entler
  • 2023 Social Impact Woman to Watch by Nonprofit HR – Bonnie Entler
  • 2022 OAACE Support Staff of the Year – Suzanne McWhorter
  • 2021 Most Treasured Volunteer award from The Center for Community Solutions – tutor Ed Round
  • 2021 OAACE Instructor of the Year Award – Chris Richards
  • 2021 OAACE Administrator of the Year Award – Dr. Carmine Stewart
  • 2021 Library of Congress Best Practices Award 
  • 2021 ProLiteracy – Ruth J. Colvin & Frank Laubach Award for Adult Learner Excellence – Desire Barb, graduate
  • 2021 ProLiteracy – Award for Program Innovation and Collaboration – Case Western Reserve University students & Seeds
  • 2020 Most Treasured Volunteer award from The Center for Community Solutions – tutor Julie Rea
  • 2020 COABE National Award – “Local Excellence in Advocacy”
  • The Nonprofit Leadership Award from the Alumni Association at Case Western Reserve University – Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences: Bonnie Entler
  • 2019 Crains Women in Education – Bonnie Entler
  • 2018 ProLiteracy Hero Award-Winner
  • 2018 Leadership Cleveland Class – Bonnie Entler, Seeds’ Executive Director
  • 2016 Philanthropy Tank Winner, Runner-up – African-American Philanthropy Summit
  • 2016 National Adult Learner of the Year – Commission on Adult Basic Education
  • 2016 Administrator of the Year, Runner-up – Coalition on Adult Basic Education
  • 2015 Community Impact Award – Dominion East Ohio
  • 2015 State Administrator of the Year – Ohio Association of Adult and Continuing Education
  • 2014 “Who to Watch in Education” – Crain’s Cleveland Business (11/3/14)
  • 2014 Court Community Service Award for Nonprofit Excellence
  • 2013 Anisfield-Wolf Memorial Award for Outstanding Nonprofit Service
  • 2013 Nonprofit Best Practice – Governor Kasich’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
  • 2013 National Dollar General Literacy Foundation Student of the Year
  • 2007 National Dollar General Literacy Foundation Tutor of the Year

Community Partners - The Company We Keep

ASSOCIATIONS TO WHICH WE BELONG

 

PARTNERS

If you would like more information about our Community Partnerships, or learn how to get your organization involved, give us a call.

Funding Information

Seeds is able to offer 100% free services thanks to generous support from private donations from individuals, foundations, and grants.

EIN: 20-0884284

Read our Annual Reports.