The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded the YMCA of Greater Kansas City a $10,000 grant to support our English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. This local grant is a part of the Foundation’s largest, one-day literacy donation of more than $13 million throughout the 47 states in which Dollar General operates to support adult, family and summer literacy programs.
The ESL classes are a part of the New American Welcome Center at the North Kansas City YMCA, 1999 Iron Street, North Kansas City, MO 64116. Classes develop students' reading, writing, listening and speaking skills for work, education and everyday communication. ESL classes — ranging from beginner to advanced — focus on common phrases and building foundational English with both in person and virtual options.
"The North Kansas City Y is grateful for this grant to help people in our community gain English language skills," said Andrea Toney, executive director of the North Kansas City YMCA. "ESL classes are an important way the Y helps provide immigrants and newcomers with support and resources they need to be successful."
“It is a joy to celebrate this historic grant announcement during our 30th anniversary year,” Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, said. “For three decades, DGLF’s investment in community programs has created meaningful access to literacy skills for adults, children and families alike and exemplified Dollar General’s mission of Serving Others. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity and access to a quality education, and we look forward to seeing these literacy grants inspire reading and build brighter futures.”
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports organizations that increase access to educational programming, stimulate and enable innovation in the delivery of educational instruction and inspire a love of reading. Each year, DGLF awards funds to nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center to support adult, family, summer and youth literacy programs.
The Foundation also offers a student referral program for individuals interested in learning how to read, speak English, or prepare for the high school equivalency exam. Referrals to a local organization that provides free literacy services are available online or through referral cards found in the Learn to Read brochures that are available at the cash register of every Dollar General store.
To find an ESL class at our North Kansas City YMCA, view our program catalog.