MISSION: Changing Lives through Literacy – Literacy Achieves equips non-English speaking adults and their young children with English literacy and life skills to promote self-sufficiency and the overall well-being of our students, their families and the greater community. BACKGROUND: Literacy Achieves was founded as Vickery Meadow Learning Center in 1997 to address the critical need for English as a Second Language instruction for non-English speaking adults in Vickery Meadow, an ethnically diverse, low-income Dallas neighborhood. Since then, we have experienced tremendous growth with Literacy Achieves now serving 1,200 adults and 330 young children annually at campuses in Vickery Meadow, West Dallas and East Dallas. All programs are provided at no cost to our students. At Literacy Achieves, we understand the difficulty many non-native English speakers have in finding the time, transportation, childcare or money they need in order to attend English language classes. Our programs are effective because we remove these barriers. MORE THAN 300 WEEKLY VOLUNTEER TEACHERS Compassionate and committed volunteers teach all adult classes, giving students support while developing mutual respect and understanding. Adult English Literacy Program classes are offered morning, afternoon and evening, include up to 7 English proficiency levels, utilize classroom and computer instruction. • Daytime classes offered concurrently with the Early Childhood Program, provide a two generation approach to learning. • Evening classes allow adults who work during the day to improve their English literacy skills. The Early Childhood Education Program provides a child-centered, literacy-rich environment for young children from 4 mo. to 5 yr. • The program meets the unique needs of English language learners. • Children must have a parent or care-giver enrolled simultaneously in the Adult Program. While parents improve their English, children prepare for elementary school and beyond.