According to the Literacy Network, the federal government has eliminated its federal funding, leaving it $200,000 short.
This lack of annual funding will affect its refugee programming at the end of July, which supports about 200 refugees in Dane County with English classes, tutoring and case management.
“World Refugee Day (on June 20) honors the courage and resilience of people forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution,” Literacy Network Executive Director Robin Ryan said in a statement. “Refugees are our neighbors, coworkers, business owners and future citizens. The whole community benefits when refugees receive support to build successful lives here. This elimination of funding is a major loss for our community.”
Literacy Network has served refugees in Dane County since the 1980s.
Refugee students who participate in Literacy Network programs each year have come from Afghanistan, Venezuela, Nicaragua, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine, Haiti and Syria.
The Literacy Network will keep supporting current refugees and maintaining its infrastructure to support them as best as it can, relying on donations.
“We are extremely fortunate to live and work in a community that supports refugees. Last year, when we lost federal funding for our Citizenship Program, the community stepped in to fill the gap, resulting in a record number of new citizens in 2025,” Ryan said in a statement. “Now, we are asking the community to help maintain vital services for refugees, who have been through so much and have already invested in building new lives in Dane County.”
Community members can support Literacy Network’s refugee programs with a donation.
