Dollar General's Literacy Foundation Awards $10,000 to Northwest Adult Education Program

Senatobia, MS (06/05/2023) — Northwest Mississippi Community College received a check for a $10,000 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation May 24. This grant is awarded to help strengthen literacy initiatives, enhance programs, and make tomorrow better through education. "We are proud to support your organization and wish you every success in the coming year," said Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.

At Northwest, this grant is going toward the Adult Education Program to continue educating its 11 service counties. Northwest's mission for Adult Education is to improve literacy skills, earn workforce credentials, and obtain a high school equivalency diploma.

This grant specifically will be used to purchase school supplies and instructional materials, according to Jennifer Williams, director of Adult Education. It will also be used to purchase testing vouchers for tests such as GED and HiSet for students who are ready to test but might be unable financially to pay test fees.

The Adult Education staff actively works with students on developing academic and literacy skills. These programs also assist in helping students on their pathway to college or entering the workforce. This program also allows for "Start Smart" instruction, which can help students obtain a "Start Smart Certificate" or Credential, or Integrated Education Training such as forklift, NorthStar, and more.

Northwest's Adult Education Program is open to any Mississippi resident with a valid photo ID. There are seven locations for adult education, including Batesville, Bruce, Byhalia, Hernando, Oxford, Senatobia, and Southaven.

For more information about the Adult Education Program, please visit northwestms.edu/programs/adult-education. For more information about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, please visit https://www.dgliteracy.org/about/

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Celebrating a $10,000 grant award from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation are Northwest Mississippi Community College administration and Adult Eduation staff (L-R) Executive Director of Institutional Advancement Patti Gordon, Adult Education Lead Instructor Lauren Carlini, MIBEST Navigator Elizabeth Kairit, Director of Adult Education Jennifer Williams, Northwest President Dr. Michael Heindl, Vice President of Instruction and College Parallel Programs Dr. Matthew Domas, Associate Vice President for Workforce Solutions and Career-Technical Education Dwayne Casey, Data Intake Manager Brittany Simmerman, and College and Career Navigator Ashton Smith. Photo by Alyssa Pirani