Victoria Television Group 3808 N. Navarro
Victoria, TX 77901
Phone: 361 575-2500
Fax: 361 575-2255
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Fewer Donations For Adult Literacy Council
Written by Steve Broussard
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
FOR OVER 20 YEARS THE VICTORIA ADULT LITERACY COUNCIL HAS BEEN OFFERING FREE INSTRUCTION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH HELPING ADULTS TO READ.
HOWEVER DONATIONS TO THE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE GONE DOWN OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, CAUSING HARDSHIP FOR THE AGENCY.
THE CENTER OPERATES WITH A SMALL STAFF. 2 PEOPLE FULL TIME AND 1 PERSON PART TIME.
OTHERS ARE VOLUNTEERS AND TEACHERS FROM VICTORIA COLLEGE THAT HELP ADULTS LEARN TO READ, GET THEIR GED'S AND LEARN ENGLISH AS A 2ND LANGUAGE.
THE CENTER CURRENTLY HELPS 159 PEOPLE TO GET A BETTER EDUCATION. THE PROGRAM IS PARTNERED THRU VICTORIA COLLEGE.
OPERATING EXPENSES ARE STRICTLY BY DONATIONS AND GRANTS, BUT THAT GIVING HAS NOT BEEN AS MUCH THIS YEAR.
<"It makes it very difficult for us to do our job and help as many people as we can. Because in these times of economic crisis, people are holding onto their money.">Donna Bentley\Director, Victoria Adult Literacy Council
BUT GETTING A HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCE IS WHAT MANY DREAM OF WHEN THEY COME TO THE CENTER.
SOME REGRET NOT FINISHING SCHOOL, BUT THEY ARE GLAD THIS EDUCATION IS OFFERED. ALTHOUGH THEY SAY IT'S DIFFICULT AS AN ADULT TO GO BACK, ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN IN SCHOOL..
<"And I tell them, that's why it's important to go to school, because when you drop out, it's hard to go back to school. It's very hard to go back to school. It's very hard.">Tammy Bedford\Getting GED<"I can't even remember the year, but I was probably around 14 years old. But my goal was to graduate and go onto college and it still is.">Frances Valdez\Getting A GED
DONNA BENTLY, DIRECTOR OF THE VICTORIA LITERACY COUNCIL, SAYS THAT INVESTING IN ADULTS IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS CHILDREN IN SCHOOL. IN SOME CASES THIS EDUCATION IS VITAL TO GET A BETTER JOB.
Donna Bentley\Director, Victoria Literacy Council]
<"We have people come to us that just can't read well enough just to pass a test. Or to do what their job requires. Maybe their boss wants to give them a promotion. Maybe they want to take on a more responsible job.">
IN ADDITION TO DONATIONS, THE CENTER NEEDS VOLUNTEERS AT THE CENTER HELP WITH THE DEMAND.
573-7323
THE CENTER IS LOCATED AT 802 EAST CRESTWOOD IN VICTORIA.
