Lackawanna College Receives $5,000 Grant

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded Lackawanna College a $5,000 grant to support adult literacy. This local grant is a part of the Foundation’s largest, one-day literacy donation of more than $13 million throughout the 47 states in which Dollar General operates to support adult, family and summer literacy programs.

“This program has been really effective for building a bridge to college and career education for underserved populations. It is an opportunity I’m grateful to be a part of it,” Manager of the Lackawanna Language Academy (LLA) at the Hazleton Center Casey Weisbeck said.

The Lackawanna Language Academy (LLA) will provide free ESL classes to benefit the residents of Hazleton, PA. The LLA will serve 48 individuals by offering two, 10-week ESL classes that will occur in Summer and Fall 2023. In-person instruction of literacy skills and take-home lessons will assist Spanish-speaking individuals with limited English proficiency to improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills by at least 2 proficiency levels to attain Adult Basic English proficiency.

Experienced ESL Instructors will provide responsive, individualized instruction using a variety of teaching methods and assessment tools. If a student desires to continue their studies upon completion of the course, LC offers Continuing Education Certifications for the Workforce and an English Proficiency college certificate in an 18-credit program that advances English learning and prepares learners for college-level work.

“It is a joy to celebrate this historic grant announcement during our 30^th anniversary year,” shared Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “For three decades, DGLF’s investment in community programs has created meaningful access to literacy skills for adults, children and families alike and exemplified Dollar General’s mission of Serving Others. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity and access to a quality education, and we look forward to seeing these literacy grants inspire reading and build brighter futures.”

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 here or through referral cards found in the Learn to Read brochures that are available at the cash register of every Dollar General store.