[Nashville, Tenn.] – [May 28, 2024] – The Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) recently awarded YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee a $200,000 grant to support adult literacy.  This local grant is a part of the Foundation’s more than $10.6 million donated to support adult, family and summer literacy programs in the 48 states in which Dollar General operates. With today’s grants, the DGLF also surpasses helping more than 20 million individuals achieve their educational dreams since its inception in 1993.

“For more than three decades, YWCA has been honored to partner with the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to create brighter futures and stronger communities,” said Sharon K. Roberson, President and CEO of YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee. “We are incredibly proud of the adults who trust us to help them achieve their goals, and we couldn’t deliver the gift of education without the support of DGLF.”

The generous grant will enable YWCA to provide free adult education classes to more than 450 adults and help dozens more achieve their high school equivalency diplomas (HSE). YWCA’s Family Learning Center students account for more than one-quarter of all HiSET (formerly GED) graduates in the Nashville region.

“We believe individuals of all ages deserve access to a quality education, and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation is thrilled to support thousands of learners across the country as they enrich their lives with literacy and education,” shared Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “This year’s spring grant cycle is equally exciting as we surpass impacting more than 20 million individuals. We hope these funds provide resources needed to positively change students’ lives, helping them to build a brighter future for themselves and generations to come.”

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 here or through referral cards found in the Learn to Read brochures that are available at the cash register of every Dollar General store.

About YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee
For 125 years, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee has helped women, girls, and families in Nashville and Middle Tennessee build safer, more self-sufficient lives. YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Programs include Domestic Violence Services, Girls Inc. at YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, AMEND Together, Dress for Success, the Family Learning Center, and Social Justice & Advocacy Programs. For more information, visit www.ywcanashville.com follow us on twitter @YWCANashville, and find us on Facebook facebook.com/YWCANashville.

About the Dollar General Literacy Foundation

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded more than $250 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 21.5 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. Each year, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation provides financial support to schools, nonprofit organizations and libraries within a 15-mile radius of Dollar General stores and distribution centers. To learn more about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation or apply for a literacy grant, visit www.dgliteracy.org.

Media Contact:
Michelle Mowery Johnson | Sr. Dir. Communications & Advocacy YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee
615-424-0544/cell | michelle.moweryjohnson@ywcanashville.com

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