Give the Gift of Possibility: Meet Marianne
Three mornings a week, Marianne takes the free GoDurham bus to her Durham Literacy Center classes. She climbs the stairs, counting each step. She memorized the number of steps almost right away. At the top, she can make out small changes in color, so she counts the doors down the hallway until she reaches her classroom.
Marianne makes this trip on her own. She is blind - and determined.
Marianne came to Durham from the Philippines and joined DLC’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program about a year ago. In class, she uses an iPad with special software that reads any document aloud through her earbuds. She has a digital copy of the class textbook. When a handout goes around the room, her tutor snaps a photo of it with her iPad, so Marianne can take part in every lesson alongside her classmates.
Her hard work shows. In one year, Marianne has advanced to the high intermediate level. She is often the first one through the door. As she put it herself in a recent post: “I am the first student into this room because I came early.”
Her goal is simple: speak English well and get a job. Everyone who knows Marianne is certain she will do both.
A Message from our Executive Director
Marianne’s self-reliance has inspired our entire DLC family, from her classmates to our volunteer tutors. Her story also reflects what the Durham Literacy Center has always been: a place where every neighbor is welcome.
At a time when many immigrant families in our community are feeling uncertain, our doors remain open. Our classrooms remain places of patience, dignity and belonging. And our tutors keep doing what they do best, meeting each learner exactly where they are, whether that means a large-print worksheet, a photo of a handout or simply a warm hello at the top of the stairs.
Durham is stronger when everyone who calls it home can talk with their child’s teacher, read a prescription label, fill out a job application and share their gifts with our community. That is the work your support makes possible.
Like many nonprofits across the country, DLC is navigating a tighter funding landscape. In 2025, we fell about $200,000 short of our revenue goals. Our students never stopped showing up, and neither did we. Your gift this season helps us close that gap and build a stronger footing for the year ahead, so learners like Marianne can keep counting on us.
As we close out this year, we aim to raise $70,000 to ensure students like Marianne continue to receive high-quality instruction, individualized support and the tools they need to learn.
Thank you for believing in our students and for helping DLC welcome every learner who walks through our doors!
Your Gift Makes an Impact
Every tax-deductible gift sustains DLC’s instructional programs and learner support services. Your support provides:
$50 – Print materials for one adult learner
$75 – One online learning license for an English language student like Marianne
$200 – Technology tools for a youth or young adult HSE student
$300 – Initial training for one volunteer tutor, like the tutors who make sure Marianne never misses a handout
$1,000 – Pre- and post-assessments for 175 adult and youth students
$2,500 – One year of comprehensive instruction, including digital literacy and college & career services, for one adult learner
When Marianne reaches her goals, and we have no doubt she will, your gift will have been part of every step.
Yours in literacy,
Crystal Avent
Executive Director
P.S. Today, you can help make every step count for learners like Marianne. Give online at durhamliteracy.org or return the enclosed envelope.
You’re Invited: Fall Tea and Tours: Save the Date
Join us on Wednesday, November 4th, or Wednesday, November 11th, from 6:00 pm –7:00 p.m.
In November, we are excited to welcome community members to join us for either of two upcoming Fall Welcome Parties at the Durham Literacy Center!
Join us on Wednesday, November 4, or Wednesday, November 11, from 6:00–7:00 p.m.for an opportunity to mingle with our team, experience the energy and engagement happening in our classrooms, and learn more about the programs that make the DLC so special.
We look forward to opening our doors, sharing our work, and connecting with those who want to learn more about our mission and the impact we are making in our community. Come see the Durham Literacy Center in action! And if you are in the neighborhood, stop by and see us! You cannot miss our new, big, bright red sign welcoming the community to the Durham Literacy Center. We are excited to have this new addition helping people find us and discover the programs and opportunities happening inside our doors.
Fall is a season of new beginnings, continued growth, and renewed possibilities. We are excited about all that is happening at the Durham Literacy Center and grateful to everyone who continues to be part of our journey.
Thank you for believing in our learners, supporting our mission, and helping usbuild a stronger community through literacy and education.
Please mark your calendar and plan to join us! To make a reservation, please email finance@durhamliteracy.org. We look forward to seeing you there!
Ways to Give and to Get Involved As the year winds down, we’ll be sharing inspiring stories of our students, staff, volunteers, and supporters who make the Durham Literacy Center so special. Please check your inbox for our year-end appeal and consider making a gift to help sustain this life- changing work in our community. Every gift makes a difference. |
Volunteer Opportunities: Click here to know more about Volunteer Opportunities at DLC Spread the Word: Please share social media links with your contacts Stay updated on our latest news, events, and initiatives by subscribing to our newsletter. Thank you for your ongoing support of literacy in Durham. Together, we can continue to make a meaningful impact on our community. Warm regards, Durham Literacy Center Team Main Contact Information: Durham Literacy Center 1905 Chapel Hill Road Durham, NC 27707 Phone: (919) 489-8383 Email: info@durhamliteracy.org P.O. Box 52209 Durham, NC 27717 |
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