Central Vt. resource is assisting adult learners through pandemic

September 26,  2020  |  By Brian Kravitz

The Waterbury Learning Center is open to students seeing students by appointment only. Courtesy photo.

This week marked National Adult Education and Literacy Week as a time to celebrate the hundreds of adult learners who walk through our doors each year, each with unique goals for career, college, financial security, the future, their children’s futures, and more. 

Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, now in our 55th year of serving Washington, Orange and Lamoille Counties, is here to help them reach those goals, whatever they may be. We help employers of all sizes develop their workforces. We provide the free adult education and literacy services that positively affect individuals, families and the entire community.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, adult education and literacy is more important now than ever.  Those with the lowest literacy and/or education levels are the most likely to be in the lowest-paying jobs, and are most likely to feel the financial crunches caused by shut-downs and high unemployment. They are the most likely to face food and housing insecurity. The goal-driven services, provided by Central Vermont Adult Basic Education help the most vulnerable to enter careers, college or job training programs, and to become insulated from the negative effects of any pandemic. The positive results are very real.

Our doors are open and, using COVID-19 safety protocols, we are seeing students face-to-face. We are also engaging in vibrant distance learning which 250 central Vermont students utilized during the shutdown. We may even be able to provide laptops, data minutes or internet access to students in need, so that they can study remotely. We are already seeing an increase in students, and we are ready for more.

We provide instruction in reading, writing, math, computers, high school credentialing, English language learning / citizenship, and career and college readiness. We can often work with those who already have high school diplomas, or even some college. Our goal is to help our students reach their goals.

We need the help of our community. If you know someone who may need our services, please tell them about us. If you’d like to join our cadre of 100 or so volunteers, we’d love to talk to you. Our volunteers come from all professions and walks of life. Potential students and volunteers should call the Waterbury Learning Center at 244-8765. If you’d like to offer financial support (we are a 501(c)3 non-profit), please visit www.cvabe.org/donate.

The mission of Central Vermont Adult Basic Education is to provide free adult education and literacy services while involving the entire community in our efforts. During this most important Adult Education and Literacy Week, we applaud our students, and thank the entire community for its support.

Our Waterbury Learning Center, at 31 N. Main St., is seeing students by appointment only. Our regular hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,with other hours by appointment. Please call 244-8765 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Brian Kravitz is development and outreach coordinator at Central Vermont Adult Basic Education.