Dear Friends of The Literacy Center,
The statements above are just a handful of the thanks we have received over the past few days as we provided rental and bill pay assistance to more than 40 families in The Literacy Center’s student body. Thanks to a grant from the Greater Attleboro Stronger Together Fund , this week we were able to help families that have found themselves in dire circumstances as a result of the public health crisis. I cannot begin to tell you how grateful they were for our assistance, or how honored I am to be able to provide it.
In case you did not know, more than 60 students of The Literacy Center are healthcare workers. More than 80 work in restaurants and deliver food. Dozens more work in childcare, our public schools, and after school programs. Literacy Center students are front line workers. They are out there every day risking their lives for others. I could not be more proud of our students or more thankful that we are able to help them right now.
In addition to providing direct cash assistance, The Literacy Center’s staff has been providing one on one support to every family served to find out how we can help them identify longer term assistance as this crisis progresses. We have helped students navigate the daunting task of applying for unemployment; connected students to food pantries; and helped students research healthcare options for themselves and their families.
There is no greater feeling than that of picking up the phone and telling someone that help is on the way. I have had the great privilege of personally making many of these phone calls this week, and every single one has been filled with an abundance of thanks, relief, and – sometimes – tears. Our team could not have done this without your generosity. So from the bottom of my heart – thank you .
Our work is not finished. Hundreds of families in our area are still without the basic funds to pay for food and rent. But we are going to be there for them every step of the way, helping in every way that we can. We are now partnering with the City of Attleboro to allocate funds for rental assistance this summer, and we are partnering with our state representatives to connect those in need to programs that can help. We’re in this together.
Thank you again for your belief in our mission and your kindness during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Amanda Blount
Executive Director
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
“Muchas gracias.”
“I have no words…thank you.”
“You are helping us so much.”
“I don’t know what to say but God bless you.”