Dear Friends,
There are very few years that I have wanted to wave goodbye to with as much gusto as I feel for the departure of 2020. But before I hurry this year away, I would like to pause and reflect on everything it has taught me and how much it has brought to The Literacy Center.
This year taught me a valuable lesson about sitting patiently with the discomfort of the unknown. It has brought out the boundless creativity of our team as we found ways to connect, laugh, and support one another even in the toughest times.
It has shown us that we can count on one another. It has reinforced, over and over, the seemingly endless kindness and grace of the people we serve.
Last spring, I watched in astonishment as hundreds of low-literate adults mastered virtual conferencing and online instruction in a matter of weeks.
I witnessed staff and volunteers put their own struggles aside to help our students navigate sudden unemployment, debilitating financial losses, and terrifying health crises.
And I cheered with them as our students got back on their feet. TLC continued to provide classes and tutoring while also raising and disbursing over $120,000 in financial assistance to families in crisis.
It was no small feat and I am in awe of our team. Of course, the work continues.
As we wave goodbye to 2020, I hope to take the lessons from this year with me into the future.
Most importantly, the knowledge that we can overcome any challenge that comes our way. We are more capable and innovative than we give ourselves credit for. And perhaps most critically, we have a community that will do everything they can to help us get through hard times .
I stop by our building once a week to check in, sort the mail, and water the plants.
Every time I am there, I am reminded of what a special place it is.
But this year I learned that it truly isn’t the building – no matter how lovely it is – that makes TLC so special. It’s the TLC community that does that.
And our community is unbreakable. Thank you to every single one of you for lifting us up this year.
I have much optimism for the year ahead and I am confident we will get through all of this together.
With the deepest gratitude,
Amanda Blount
Executive Director
Lift us up with a year end donation
THANK YOU.