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Lacombe, LA – [January 7, 2025] – The WorkReady U – Adult Education department today announced it has been awarded a $6,000 grant from the ProLiteracy Foundation to significantly enhance the learning environment for its students in Franklinton, LA. The funds will be used immediately to purchase adult-sized desks, tables, and chairs, directly addressing a critical need for suitable classroom furnishings.
The WorkReady U program, which provides adult basic education and literacy classes to Northshore residents, operates in space generously donated by the Washington Parish Public School System. However, the existing furniture is not appropriately sized for adult learners, creating an obstacle to comfortable and focused study.
The grant will allow the department to purchase 18 new adult-sized desks and chairs, ensuring the furnishings better accommodate students and their learning materials.
"A comfortable and appropriate physical environment is foundational to successful learning, especially for adults balancing work and family life," said Errick Baldwin, Director of Workready U Adult Basic Education.
"This generous grant from the ProLiteracy Foundation is an investment in the dignity and success of our students. Having adult-sized furniture will ensure our learners have the supportive setting they deserve as they work to achieve their high school equivalency and career goals."
The grant directly supports WorkReady U’s mission to improve the literacy and numeracy skills of adult learners, leading to high school equivalency achievement, post-secondary enrollment, college and career readiness, and improved workforce opportunities.
The population served includes adults 18 and over in Washington Parish without a high school diploma. The need for these services is significant:
- Low Literacy: According to Census data, 35% of adults between the ages of 25-64 in Washington Parish are considered low literacy.
- Educational Deficit: The American Community Survey reports that over 5,300 individuals aged 25 and over have an education level below the 12th grade.
By focusing on individualized, small-group, and whole-group instruction tailored to meet students where they are educationally, WorkReady U provides a crucial pathway out of poverty and toward greater economic stability for the region.
The WorkReady U – Adult Education department provides adult basic education and literacy classes to residents who lack a high school diploma or demonstrate a deficiency in adult basic literacy and/or numeracy. Students are enrolled in teacher-led classes after demonstrating educational deficiency through the Tests of Adult Basic Skills assessment. The program is committed to equipping adult learners with the skills necessary to achieve high school equivalency, enroll in post-secondary education, and secure improved workforce opportunities.
ProLiteracy is the oldest and largest nonprofit organization in the nation committed to advancing the cause of adult literacy. ProLiteracy works with local programs and partners to help adults read, write, and use math and technology skills.
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