The Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) has awarded Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA a $9,915 grant to bolster its adult literacy programs. This grant is part of DGLF’s broader initiative, which has contributed over $10.6 million this year to support literacy programs nationwide, impacting more than 20 million individuals since its inception in 1993.
With this funding, Goodwill will enhance its General Educational Development (GED) and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, reaching individuals across its extensive 35-county service area. These initiatives aim to provide flexible and accessible education opportunities, particularly benefiting non-native English speakers.
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation,” said Maria Mallar, Manager of Developmental Education at Goodwill. “This grant enables us to offer our GED program remotely, providing participants the flexibility to learn at their own pace. Additionally, it will help us establish a formal schedule for ESL classes at our Augusta Campus, making our programs even more inclusive.”
According to Voxy, a company which offers global corporate language training, there are numerous benefits from ESL programs for businesses, including attracting and retaining talent, improving productivity and growth, and providing new talent pools to fill vacant positions.
Likewise, earning a GED offers benefits for employers through tax credits and for employees’ increased earning potential and more employment opportunities, a fact not lost on Goodwill.
Goodwill’s GED program is uniquely designed to allow participants to learn at their own pace, with 24/7 access to educational software. This flexibility helps individuals tailor their learning to their personal schedules and goals. Furthermore, offering the program in both English and Spanish ensures it is accessible to a broader audience.
Mallar highlighted the significant demand for ESL support within the community, noting that approximately one-third of Goodwill’s GED participants are non-native English speakers.
“Last year, we partnered with Augusta University’s Department of English and World Languages to pilot a community ESL program, which received an overwhelmingly positive response. Thanks to the DGLF grant, we can now establish a regular schedule for these much-needed ESL classes.”
“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.”
This grant is part of DGLF’s broader initiative, which has contributed over $10.6 million this year to support literacy programs nationwide.
For more information on Goodwill’s GED or ESL programs, please contact Maria Mallar at mmallar@goodwillworks.org.
Editor’s Note:
Mitzi Oxford is a veteran broadcaster and features writer who also worked at the same television station in Columbus, Georgia as Augusta’s Brad Means! If you have a South Carolina story idea for Mitzi, please email her at mitzioxfordcreative@gmail.com.
