What began as a merger of two local non-profit organizations in 1996 has grown and evolved exponentially, prompting Elevate Adult Education (formerly Families & Literacy, Inc.) to rebrand and expand its services to become a second language… English classes, GED preparation and local digital literacy classes.
At a luncheon hosted by Elevate Adult Education held last week at Light on the Hill in Mt. Wesley, officials unveiled the new logo, shared the organization's successes and promoted the “Educating the Hill Country'' initiative. He detailed his hopes for the future as he fulfills his mission of Adults are required to actively contribute to the life of their community. ”
Bob Green, Chairman of the Elevate Adult Education Board of Directors, welcomed the more than 100 guests and explained the reason for the organization's rebranding.
“We chose the new name because the HE Butt Foundation takes a look at several community nonprofits, evaluates them, helps them make critical plans, supports long-term planning, and recommends rebranding. Because it helped,” Green said. “They felt that the name we gave them didn’t adequately represent our purpose in the community.”
Green said he and the board are very proud of the change in the organization's branding, noting that (improving adult education) “is what we're about.”
“Our mission is to find people in our community who are in need of education a warm and supportive environment with talented volunteers and interested people who will help them achieve their goals,” Green said. Told.
Greene shared education statistics that show that one in six Texans lacks a high school education.
“If that number sounds high, I think based on the census, that number is much higher than that in our area,” Green said.
Mr Green said interest from local residents in accessing Elevate Adult Education's services was very high and there was currently a waiting list.
“We feel like we're accomplishing something that the community needs,” Green said.
Green pointed out that Kerrville has great schools, medical and recreational facilities, but lacks staff.
“There are stores all over town that are putting up signs asking for help,” Green said. “And most of those businesses require a high school education or the equivalent. It's very difficult for someone without a high school education to have the confidence to go out and apply for a job.”
Through the GED or ESL program, students will be ready to enter the field of higher education or immediately enter the workforce, Green said.
“As a former public school administrator and partner with local businesses, I have spoken with numerous local business owners and know that our service area has important needs in our communities. ,” Green said.
Green, who has been with the organization since its inception, says that over the years it has been extremely rewarding to watch students graduate, earn certificates or higher degrees, and begin working in the community in their newly learned fields. He said it was something.
He also pointed out that neither Families & Literacy, Inc. nor now Elevate Adult Education has ever received public (federal or state) funding, but rather has been funded by private donations.
“Not only does this organization rely on this community for financial support, but it also relies on our amazing volunteers and teachers,” Green said.
Executive Director Misty Coate provided guests with operational details regarding Advancing Adult Education.
“Although our service area is described as the Hill Country, we also serve Kerr, Bandera, Gillespie, and Kimble counties. We accommodate any student who is willing to attend classes. I’m ready,” Cote said. “Our organization helps adults age 17 and older earn their GED certification and provides English reading, writing, and speaking skills to adults whose first language is not English.”
The success of the Corte program is based on dedicated volunteer teachers who engage thoughtfully with each student and often serve as mentors.
“While we have evolved over the past 28 years, our mission remains the same: to educate Hill Country adults to become active contributors to the life of their communities,” Cote said. .
Cote said she joined the organization at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which posed many challenges as “the world shut down.”
“My initial focus was to streamline our class lesson plans and figure out how to provide education to our students if we were unable to return for in-person classes,” Cote said.
Ms. Cote said she was able to incorporate an online GED and ESL curriculum, which has still proven to be invaluable, although it came at an unexpected cost. Online technology allows students to learn at their own pace while being monitored and guided by volunteer teachers.
Mr Cote also further elaborated on the collaboration with the HE Bat Foundation, saying that the organization was selected by the Foundation in May 2021 as the first cohort of the Kaabil Capacity Building Program.
Cote said the opportunity to participate in the program was extremely helpful over the course of 11 months. Elevate Adult Education is one of his four local organizations chosen for this cohort.
“This (cohort) of leaders helped us learn and grow while building the ability to more effectively, proactively, and collaboratively carry out the organization's mission,” Coate said.
With a grant provided by the HE Butt Foundation, the board approved the hiring of a consultant to help with strategic planning, including a rebrand, new website and new name, Cote said.
Cote praised the past leaders of Families & Literacy, Inc., saying they have all done an outstanding job creating and sustaining the much-needed services the organization provides.
“My job now is to continue that into the future by continuing to emphasize the importance of adult education and making learning opportunities affordable to those who need them.” Coate said.
The key word is “affordability,” Coate said, adding that as a result of successful fundraising and careful budgeting last year, student tuition was eliminated and the enrollment fee was reduced to $25 a year. Stated.
Previously, she said, students were paying $200 per class.
“For them, it's streamlined. For us, it's streamlined and we're seeing direct results because enrollment has skyrocketed and we now have a waiting list.” Coate said.
Cote said current plans this fall are to expand the digital literacy program, offer citizenship classes and add Spanish classes for students.
Operations Manager Jennifer Zafke said her position allowed her to see first-hand the impact of providing adult education to community members.
She recognized both the volunteers and the students who participated.
Zafke said she was touched when she received an email from a new student saying, “I'm so excited to start this journey with you to a better life.''
“The messages resonated with me because they captured the essence of what we all want: a better life,” Zafke said. “Education is the key to achieving a better life and is the most powerful weapon that can change not only the destiny of individuals, but entire generations.”
Mr. Zafke shared a video with guests explaining the details of the program and powerful testimonials from students.
Johnny Andrews is one of the students featured in the video. Ms. Andrews said she sought help from Elevate Adult Education to obtain her GED, and her goal is to attend college to expand her career options and earn a higher income to support her family. She said there was.
Earning a GED alone will earn you an average of $200 a week more than a high school dropout, Zaffke said.
The unveiling of the new name and logo was just part of the purpose of the luncheon, which also included a fundraiser.
In addition to monetary donations, Elevate Adult Education, which operates entirely on private donations, is seeking more volunteers to meet the needs of a growing waiting list.
For more information about Elevate Adult Education, to donate or to volunteer, visit www.elevatekerr. Com.
