Welcome to VCLC – Your Community Literacy Resource
The Valencia County Literacy Council (VCLC) provides free literacy services to adults and families throughout Valencia County, helping individuals achieve personal goals and develop essential reading, writing, numeracy, and digital literacy skills.
Mission
The mission of the Valencia County Literacy Council (VCLC) is to support adults in achieving personal goals in developing pre-literacy skills. These literacy services are provided to families free of charge to ensure that financial limitations are never a barrier to education.
Vision
We envision a Valencia County where all residents have the literacy skills they need to achieve their own dreams and enhance the quality of life for their families and communities. We believe that by improving reading, writing, and language skills, individuals can navigate daily life more easily, expand their employment opportunities, support their children’s education, and contribute positively to the community.
Philosophy
Organization:
VCLC operates as a team-driven organization, where leadership is shared and responsibility is collective. While we maintain clear structures of accountability—through our board, executive council, and project leads—hierarchical authority is used sparingly and in service of organizational integrity, not control.
We prioritize:
- Shared ownership – Decisions are guided by input from across the team.
- Strength-based collaboration – We recognize and build on each person’s contributions while addressing areas of need.
- Purposeful adaptability – Our systems evolve based on reflection on the changing realities of our work.
Pedagogy:
At VCLC, we believe literacy is a pathway to agency, connection, and belonging. Our approach centers the lived experiences and goals of learners, emphasizing trust, relevance, and responsiveness over rigid instruction.
We prioritize:
- Confidence over correction – Clarity, courage, and expression over perfection.
- Flexible structure – Adapting to learners’ lives while maintaining consistency and care.
- Cultural and linguistic respect – Welcoming learners’ full identities, languages, and perspectives.
Student Stories
My name is Cynthia, one of my main goals was to obtain my GED certificate. However, due to various circumstances, I hadn’t been able to do so, and it was a little frustrating.
Having a GED opens doors, such as getting a better job or being able to enter a university. This motivated me to work hard and dedicate myself to passing my GED exams.
Thank you so much to VCLC and the excellent tutors for their support at all times to assist me in achieving my goal.
I am very grateful for the VCLC program because in a very short time,
I was able to take my exams and pass them and now have a GED Certificate!
***
My name is Gemma Roldan and I attended VCLC in 2024 for my GED. I finished high school back in 2007, but didn’t pass my state exams in order to get my diploma, that is the reason I ended up coming to VCLC. I successfully completed my GED this year ( 2025) and I would like to talk a little bit about my experience with the teachers and people here.
I had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful ladies one of them was Ms. Patrica Sanchez was the teacher for ELA, I just needed a refresher, and she did exactly that. She was patient and corrected us every time we needed it. I truly appreciate her, because of that refresher I was able to pass my exam.
Another lovely lady I met was Ms. Bertha. She was the math teacher. Although I didn’t go much time with her she helped me understand a few things I needed help with.
Altogether my experience at VCLC was awesome I got to meet really nice people and still are in touch with a few of them. I would like to say thank you for the patience and understanding.
***
Hello, my name is Juana Valdovinos. I started in Valencia County Literacy Council to learn English. When I started the classes I didn’t know anything, now I feel more confident because I can understand and try to communicate with others in English. I got my GED too, it was hard because I was taking both classes at the same time and plus all the housewife chores it wasn’t that easy. A big step in my life was to have my Citizenship. The English Class and the Citizenship Instruction provided by a tutor from Valencia County Literacy Council help me to reach some of my goals. I still have goals to reach but I am still working with my English in order to complete those goals I set up when I came to this Country.
Thanks to VCLC for the support they gave me and they are still giving to the community.
Staff & Board
Cecilia (Cecy) Rodriguez, CN, AAS, Early Childhood Education
Program Director
Cecy Rodriguez has spent over 20 years working in community organizing, mobilization, and program coordination, with the last six years dedicated to the Valencia County Literacy Council. She isn’t just an administrator—she’s someone who truly understands the value of literacy education, because she was once a student at VCLC herself. Having learned English through the program, she has firsthand experience of what it means to navigate language barriers and overcome them.
Now, as the Interim Executive Director, she’s deeply committed to ensuring others have the same opportunities she did. Cecy is well-known and respected in the community, using her bilingual abilities in English and Spanish to connect with students, volunteers, and donors alike. Her work extends beyond literacy—she actively fosters relationships that make the community stronger and more educated.
Devon Hoffman
Administrative Director
Devon is an administrative consultant and program strategist at the Valencia County Literacy Council (VCLC), where she supports organizational development, program design, strategic planning, and grant writing. With a background in nonprofit leadership, adult education, and grassroots community work, Devon plays a central role in advancing VCLC’s mission to provide free literacy, ESL, GED, and digital skills tutoring to adults across Valencia County.
Her work focuses on building sustainable systems, expanding partnerships, strengthening outreach, and centering equity in all aspects of the organization’s growth. Devon also co-leads internal planning initiatives, facilitates tutor trainings, and develops program materials aligned with VCLC’s values of inclusion, cultural humility, and learner empowerment.
Ernestina Sosa, Community Outreach Specialist, was born in Cd. Juarez, Mexico. She began working at age 16 while still in high school and later completed a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with excellent grades. She was then offered a position as a medical assistant at Social Security, a government medical institution.
In 1989, she moved to Texas, and a few years later settled in New Mexico. Over time, she established herself and began learning English as a second language. Around 2000, she moved to Los Lunas and earned her CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certification. She later obtained an Associate Degree in Medical Assisting from PIMA and worked at First Choice in Belen, NM, with Dr. Karen Phillips.
In 2015, she completed tutor training and began volunteering with the Valencia County Literacy Council, helping ESL students and teaching Citizenship classes. “I love to serve the community in different ways,” she says.
A year later, she joined a Grandparent Program, supporting preschool and kindergarten students—an experience she deeply enjoyed. She also contributes to her Catholic Church by teaching seniors how to make rosaries, calling it “a great activity to keep seniors active.”
Kathleen Pickering, J.D., Ph.D. – President
Dr. Kathleen Pickering is the Director of the Belen Public Library and Harvey House Museum and has been involved with VCLC since 2013. She brings a wealth of academic and legal expertise to the organization, having worked as a professor of anthropology at Colorado State University before retiring.
Her background includes a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a J.D. from New York University School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree in history from the College of William and Mary. With her combined experience in law, education, and public service, Kathy plays a crucial role in shaping the governance and direction of VCLC. She is passionate about ensuring that literacy programs remain accessible and effective for the entire Valencia County community.
Her background includes a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a J.D. from New York University School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree in history from the College of William and Mary. With her combined experience in law, education, and public service, Kathy plays a crucial role in shaping the governance and direction of VCLC. She is passionate about ensuring that literacy programs remain accessible and effective for the entire Valencia County community.
Karen Walter – Vice President (Board Member since 2018)
Karen Walter is an instructor at the University of New Mexico Valencia Campus and a lifelong New Mexican. She grew up in Albuquerque’s North Valley and studied at the University of New Mexico, earning a graduate degree in educational thought and socio-cultural studies.
Her work as an educator focuses on making learning more inclusive and democratic. She is passionate about social justice, not just in the classroom but in the broader community. When she’s not working, she spends her time reading, swimming, gardening, and engaging with her local community. She even invites students to drop by if they see her outside working in her yard.
Dolores Sanchez – Treasurer
Dolores Sanchez serves as the treasurer of VCLC, managing the organization’s financial operations and ensuring its programs remain well-funded and sustainable.
Sandy Schauer, B.S. – Board Member (since 1990)
Sandy Schauer has been involved with VCLC since 1990 and is the owner of La Montanita Publishing. She has spent her career in publishing and independent journalism, using her expertise to support literacy efforts and community storytelling.
Erminia (Mina) Reynaga
I am Mina Reynaga, a forty-one-year-old native of New Mexico, born in Albuquerque and raised in the Los Lunas/El Cerro Community. I am a mother of three: Aaron, 25; Ariana, 22; and Izabel, 6. I currently work as a Business Analyst at Conduent Healthcare Government Solutions. In my role, I collaborate closely with the State of New Mexico Medical Assistance Division; currently providing support with New Mexico Medicaid Contract. My responsibilities include providing management support to various areas such as Provider Enrollment, facilitating the enrollment of NM Providers, allowing them to render services to the Medicaid population statewide.
My involvement with the Valencia County Literacy Council (VCLC) began approximately 24 years ago, where I initially provided childcare for families of students attending ESL classes and participated in reading events at the Belen Library. After a period of absence, I have rejoined the council as a tutor. This role brings me great satisfaction, as it allows me to contribute positively to the community. Growing up in Valencia County, I have experienced firsthand the challenges faced by the native Spanish-speaking population in accessing resources and support. As a member of the VCLC, I intend to advocate for my community’s needs and work collaboratively with fellow members to find meaningful solutions.
Summer Ludwig – Board Member (since 2023)
Originally from Kansas, Summer Ludwig moved to Valencia County in 2018 and immediately fell in love with the community. She works as a grant coordinator for the City of Belen and owns a web development company that helps small businesses and nonprofits establish their online presence.
Summer is passionate about improving literacy, supporting nonprofits, and helping people gain access to educational resources. She actively volunteers with various organizations and believes that literacy is the foundation of opportunity.
Dolores B. Padilla – Board Member (since 1987)
Dolores Padilla is one of the founding members of VCLC and has been advocating for literacy in Valencia County for over three decades. As the former Executive Director of the Belen Public Library, she saw firsthand how many adults in the community lacked basic reading and writing skills.
In 1987, she and two other women working in adult education sent out 65 invitations to community members, asking them to help create a literacy council. Every single person responded positively, and VCLC was born. Dolores served as the first president of the board, ensuring the program’s growth and sustainability.
In addition to her literacy work, she was appointed by Senator Michael Sanchez to serve as a mediator for the New Mexico Human Rights Commission, a role she held from 1991 to 1999. Today, she continues to fundraise for VCLC and advocate for adult education, always striving to make literacy accessible to everyone.
In Memory: Cynthia Mabe (RIP 2021) – Former Board Member (2006 – February 2021)
VCLC deeply mourns the loss of Cynthia Mabe, a dedicated board member who served from 2006 until her passing in February 2021.
Cynthia wasn’t just a board member—she was a former VCLC student who understood the importance of literacy firsthand. She worked tirelessly to help expand VCLC’s reach and improve programs for adult learners. Her contributions shaped the direction of the organization, and her legacy continues to inspire VCLC’s mission today.
Her impact on literacy in rural New Mexico will not be forgotten.
Valencia County Literacy Council 