Students participate in the Introductory ESL class at the PVLA.
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) recently awarded the Platte Valley Literacy Association (PVLA) a $7,500 grant to support adult literacy.
This local grant is a part of the Foundation’s more than $10.6 million donated to support adult, family and summer literacy programs in the 48 states in which Dollar General operates. With today’s grants, the DGLF also surpasses helping more than 20 million individuals achieve their educational dreams since its inception in 1993.
“This grant from Dollar General is going to make a huge impact on our students,” says Jessica Wiig, executive director of the PVLA. “Working with organizations that are just as passionate about literacy education as we are is incredibly exciting and ensures that students have what they need to be successful in the classroom and in life.”
The PVLA has been proudly serving the Columbus, Nebraska, area for several decades as a United Way Agency. Their goal is to meet the educational needs of individuals in the community. They partner with the Central Community College Adult Education program to further increase educational opportunities in the area and help students gain the necessary skills to be successful in life.
Adult literacy classes that are available at the PVLA include Citizenship, Conversational English, Introductory ESL, a Book Club and an Integration Class. One-on-one employability skills training is also available.
The funds granted to the PVLA by Dollar General will be used to obtain and retain quality instructors and up-to-date classroom materials. The skills and knowledge that students learn in the class is not only beneficial to them but to the community as well, as each individual becomes a valuable and contributing member.
“We believe individuals of all ages deserve access to a quality education, and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation is thrilled to support thousands of learners across the country as they enrich their lives with literacy and education,” shared Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “This year’s spring grant cycle is equally exciting as we surpass impacting more than 20 million individuals. We hope these funds provide resources needed to positively change students’ lives, helping them to build a brighter future for themselves and generations to come.”
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports organizations that increase access to educational programming, stimulate and enable innovation in the delivery of educational instruction and inspire a love of reading. Each year, DGLF awards funds to nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center to support adult, family, summer and youth literacy programs.
The Foundation also offers a student referral program for individuals interested in learning how to read, speak English, or prepare for the high school equivalency exam. Referrals to a local organization that provides
free literacy services are available online or through referral cards found in the Learn to Read brochures that are available at the cash register of every Dollar General store.
For more information about the classes offered at the PVLA, please call 402-562-1463 or send an email to pvlacolumbusne @ yahoo.com.
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded more than $250 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 21.5 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. Each year, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation provides financial support to schools, nonprofit organizations and libraries within a 15-mile radius of Dollar General stores and distribution centers. To learn more about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation or apply for a literacy grant, visit
www.dgliteracy.org.
