The Richardson Adult Literacy Center transforms lives by providing English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction to adults who live or work in Richardson or Richardson ISD area. These adults want to learn or improve their English so they can gain better employment, help their children in school and become more involved community members.
With more than 19,000 adults in our community who don’t speak English well or at all, our work focuses on training volunteer ESL teachers, recruiting adult students and placing students into appropriate classroom instruction. Students attend classes taught by trained volunteer ESL teachers at various locations in the Richardson/RISD area.
Learn about our impact – read our 2018-19 Impact Report.
As we continue to serve hundreds of adults in our community, your support is needed more than ever. Consider making a financial donation by visiting our Support page.
Our classes aren’t possible without the amazing dedication of our volunteers. To learn more about how to become a volunteer ESL teacher, office staff, translator or event volunteer, visit our Volunteer page.
History
RALC was founded in 1990 through a collaboration between several community organizations. Members of these organizations saw that Richardson’s demographics were changing and that there were gaps within adult ESL services. The organization has succeeded for almost 30 years because of its dedicated volunteers and loyal community support.
To learn more about our ESL programs, visit our Students page.
Board of Directors
President: Cheryl Ann Wong
Vice President: vacant
Treasurer: Ted Ellis
Secretary: Rane Burress
Susan Allison
Gerald Bright
Lauren DeCillis
Victor Garza
Ginger Greenberg
Bruce Henderson
Elaine Kollaja
Jose Moreno
Bonnie Perry
Ron Poff
Shanna Sims-Bradish
Nancy Stenberg
Pamela Tomasello
Cheryl Ann Wong
Staff
Sonali Patnaik – Executive Director
Sonali is an attorney and an active community member who first joined the RALC family as a volunteer teacher. After a 15 year career in Immigration law, she well understands the mutual benefit that language facility brings to newcomers and their communities. As a first generation American raised in Richardson, teaching with RALC felt like the perfect way to pay it forward. Sonali brings experience in firm management, non-profit fundraising, and is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law. She has been an adult language learner herself, and speaks Spanish, Gujarati and English. Most importantly, she is eager to support RALC students and Richardson’s standing as a welcoming and inclusive city. Sonali lives in Richardson with her husband and two children.
Contact Sonali at director@ralc.org.
Monica Pauken Solorzano – Program Coordinator
Monica coordinates RALC’s English as a Second Language programs, including curriculum development, teacher training, student assessment, and teacher support. Her passion is creating engaging, active learning environments where adults can learn. Monica came to RALC after ten years of teaching adult ESL. She also worked in program coordination for Big Thought. She lives in Dallas with her husband. They have two sons.
Contact Monica at programs@ralc.org.
Shanna Livers – Career Bridge Success Coach
Shanna manages RALC’s Career Bridge program, which offers career-readiness education and training to RALC’s intermediate and advanced level students who are ready to start their careers in our community. Shanna came to RALC after many years of working with the Texas Workforce Commission and Texas’ Adult Education & Literacy program. She lives in Allen with her husband and children.
Contact Shanna at careerbridge@ralc.org.
Sara Bramlett – Volunteer Coordinator
Sara Bramlett coordinates RALC’s volunteers, from recruitment to training to placement to ongoing support. As a longtime community volunteer herself, Sara understands the impact volunteers can have in an organization and works to ensure RALC volunteers enjoy their work and feel supported in their efforts. Sara lives in Plano with her husband and three children.
Contact Sara at volunteer@ralc.org.
Franny Banks – Student Coordinator
Franny Banks coordinates RALC’s student outreach efforts, from letting students know about upcoming registrations, supplemental classes and other events to assisting them when they have challenges with classes. Originally from Columbia, Franny understands what it’s like to be an English language learner and works to ensure RALC’s students feel supported in their learning. Franny lives in Plano with her husband.
Contact Franny at students@ralc.org.