AEL Program Awarded Dollar General Grant

AEL Program Awarded Dollar General Grant

June 12, 2017 |

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded the East Central College Foundation, working on behalf of the ECC Adult Education and Literacy Program, an $8,000 grant to support its mission in 2017. This local grant award is part of more than $7.5 million in grants awarded to nearly 900 schools, nonprofits and organizations across the 44 states that Dollar General serves.

“We will use this grant to support our college and career readiness advocate Mary Eagan,” said AEL Director Alice Whalen. “She assists students enrolled in the adult education and literacy program – which serves 18 classes at 11 locations in Phelps, Crawford, Gasconade and Franklin Counties.  Mary helps students connect with Missouri Job Centers and other support agencies for employment, childcare and transportation assistance. The support of the East Central College Foundation was key to the success of the proposal.”

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $135 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 8.6 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy or continued education.

“There are more than 12,000 individuals in the six counties of the East Central College region in need of basic literacy skills services,” explained Whalen. “The college and career readiness advocate facilitates student success by helping them overcome barriers to the completion of their high school education.”

The East Central College Adult Education and Literacy program is free to the public. You can find out more about the program at www.eastcentral.edu/ael or call 636-584-6533.