AUGUSTA, Georgia, June, 2023 –The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA a $9,000 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 where Dollar General operates to support adult, family, and summer literacy programs.
“With the generous support from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, we are confident that we can significantly impact adult literacy in our communities,” says Leah Pontani, Senior Vice President for Career Development at Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA. “At Goodwill, we understand the transformative power of education and its role in creating opportunities for individuals to change their lives.”
With this funding, Goodwill will strengthen its literacy and education programs, with a specific focus on expanding its General Educational Development (GED) program across its 35-county service area. The program is designed to be flexible, allowing participants to learn at their own pace and on their schedule. With 24/7 access to the software and the ability to tailor their learning speed to their goals and availability, this program provides an excellent opportunity for individuals seeking to boost their literacy skills. Moreover, the program is offered in English and Spanish, making it accessible to even more people.
Students will have a coach to support them throughout the course. Goodwill will monitor progress, offer weekly tutoring hours, and provide regular check-ins via phone and email for additional support. To ensure everyone has access to the program, Goodwill will use a portion of the funding to provide laptops on an as-needed basis after careful evaluation of individual applications.
After finishing the program, individuals can request full or partial funding to cover the expenses of taking the four GED exams. Goodwill strives to eliminate financial obstacles and motivate people to attain their GED credentials. Click here to obtain additional information about the program. Goodwill’s approach is structured to accommodate different skill levels, ensuring students receive the individualized support they need to achieve their goals.
“It is a joy to celebrate this historic grant announcement during our 30th 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 and exemplified Dollar General’s mission of Serving Others. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity and access to 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.
About Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, Inc.
Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, Inc., a non-profit, 501c3 charity, builds lives, families, and communities one career at a time by helping people develop their God-given gifts through education, work, and career services. More than 86 cents of every dollar of Goodwill revenue underwrites job training and placement services within the agency’s 35-county service delivery area. Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, Inc. is accountable to local Board of Directors, belongs to this community and is not owned by any individual or company. To learn more about services and individuals served by Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, Inc. visit www.goodwillworks.org.
About Dollar General Literacy Foundation
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 $233 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 19.3 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 visit http://www.dgliteracy.org/.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Karen Lee Davis
Senior Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA
kdavis@goodwillworks.org
(803) 270-5148
