My Nonprofit Reviews

I’ve been a fan of the Adult Reading Center since I came for a tour with the Pearland Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class seven years ago. I was pretty blown away by everything I learned that day about the Center’s mission/purpose, the people whose lives are changed by this place, the people who work and volunteer here and by all the good things that are accomplished in this tiny blue house. Every time I hear the Center's Executive Director, Dale Pillow, give the Center’s Annual Report to our Board of Directors, the same sense of amazement washes over me. It’s still hard for me to believe that such a small staff along with some truly dedicated volunteers can make such an incredible difference in so many peoples’ lives.

Of course, it’s the students who actually do all the work but I think once they muster the courage to come to the Center, it’s our teachers’ and staff’s encouragement that keeps them coming back.

I occasionally help one student who graduated in May by reviewing her college English papers. She told me when she first came to the Center, she had no confidence. Zero. She said it’s her teacher, Al LeBlanc, who gave her the confidence not only to earn her high school degree (by completing a portion of the TAKS test) but to enroll in classes at a local community college. He just kept telling her she was smart and that she could do anything she put her mind to. She said if not for his faith in her, she would have given up.

Recently one of our students, who I’d guess is in his mid 60s, was treated to his first birthday party EVER by his volunteer tutor right here in our little kitchen.

People who never thought they’d earn a GED, drop in to announce they’re starting classes at a community college or they’ve landed a new job that will make life easier for their family.

Immigrants who have overcome so many hurdles to come to our country, manage not only to learn our language, but to flourish and go on to become citizens.

I’m not sure of many places a person can volunteer where little miracles and little moments of true inspiration happen around you and with great frequency. This place does more than educate, it lifts people up in more ways than I can name.

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