Greenville Literacy Association receives grant to expand training and career counseling
May 23, 2022
Greenville Literacy Association (GLA) received a grant on May 19, 2022 from Greenville Women Giving to expand its Training and Career Counselor role to ensure more of its students can transfer seamlessly from education to job training or employment.
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), 21% of adults in the United States (about 43 million) fall into the illiterate/functionally illiterate category. In Greenville County alone, it is estimated that nearly 64,000 adults ages 18 and older lack a high school diploma and more than 20,000 adults cannot speak English fluently.
With this grant, GLA plans to expand its Training and Career Counselor position to a full-time role that is responsible for coordinating Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at area companies and providing adult education students with career planning, job market preparation and transition to college or a job training program over the next two years.
“Success in today’s job market requires an array of skills ranging from reading and math to specialized vocational skills. Sadly, thousands of adults in our area lack these skills and remain underemployed and economically disadvantaged,” said John Jaraczewski, executive director of GLA. “Thanks to Greenville Women Giving, we have the ability to expand a role that is critical to building a pipeline from education to employment and improving the welfare of our students and their families for generations to come.”
About Greenville Literacy Association
Based in Greenville, South Carolina, GLA’s mission is to enrich our community by increasing the literacy and employability of our citizens. GLA promotes and inclusive and welcoming environment and provides accessible, affordable, high-quality adult education to people of all abilities. To learn more, visit greenvilleliteracy.org.
About Greenville Women Giving
Greenville Women Giving is a philanthropic women’s collective giving organization created as a special initiative of the Community Foundation in 2006. Since its founding, GWG has awarded 140 grants totaling over $7.6 million and has grown to over 500 members. For more information, visit www.greenvillewomengiving.org.
