A high school diploma or its equivalent can be life changing for a family.
In Columbus, a General Educational Development (GED) can help a worker increase their annual salary by as much as $10,000 annually. It’s a reason why the Dominican Learning Center (DLC), an adult education ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, works to offer adult basic education and GED prep in urban Columbus.
The DLC, located adjacent to Columbus St. Mary Church in German Village, is celebrating a $10,000 grant from the Dollar General Stores Literacy Foundation, allowing the center to cover upcoming expenses on online learning tools for adults, tests to determine learning levels, learners’ vouchers for practice tests, graduation and tutor-related costs, and materials needed for programs.
All of the items are needed to fund adult basic education classes, so learners can pass GED tests that certify their skills are equivalent to the level of a high school graduate.
“We are extremely thankful for the latest grant from the Dollar General Foundation. We have many needs, and this grant is important to our programs that help adult learners achieve their goals,” said Denise Hilliard, DLC director.
The funds equate to success stories for learners in central Ohio.
“Right now, we expect our learners to keep advancing in their book levels and passing their tests,” adds Hilliard. “The rate at which our learners progress can depend on their understanding of the materials. We also know other learners are under time constraints due to working multiple jobs and childcare, so sometimes it takes a little longer to reach their goals.”
The DLC currently serves 350 learners who receive help at the main office, local libraries or central Ohio parishes.
The DLC operates satellite English as a Second Language classes at seven parishes, which include Columbus-Powell St. Peter/St. Joan of Arc Church and Columbus St. James the Less, St. Thomas the Apostle/Martin de Porres Center, St. Mary Magdalene/Bishop Ready, St. Cecilia, Christ the King/All Saints Academy and St. Josephine Bakhita.
“The parishes, our tutor volunteer workforce and the donations all help keep operations running. We lean heavily on those who give frequently, such as the Dollar General Literary Foundation. We have received funds from this foundation since 2021. When we know we can count on a donor, it allows us to do our job more efficiently and ultimately provide better education methods for our adult learners,” Hilliard added.
“During our June graduations, we will celebrate our learners’ successes. It is our donors’ financial gifts that ultimately help make graduation day possible.”
The Dominican Sisters of Peace, members of the Order of Preachers, are vowed Catholic women who preach the Gospel of Christ through lives of service and peace-making. The Dominican Sisters of Peace are present in 22 states and Nigeria.
The sisters serve God’s people in education, health care, spirituality, pastoral care, prison ministry, the arts and care of creation. There are nearly 280 sisters and more than 300 lay women and men associated with the congregation.