2023 Annual Report
The Literacy Council’s mission is to improve the lives of adults and their families through literacy education that teaches people to read, write, and speak English.
WHO MAKES TLC POSSIBLE
2-3
6,11 BOARDS OF INFLUENCES
4,8,12
16 14-15 FINANCIAL REPORT
Table of Contents
WHY TLC MATTERS BY THE NUMBERS
17 SOURCES OF SUPPORT
Message from the Interim Executive Director
Ithas been a privilege to serve as Interim Executive Director of The Literacy Council of Central Alabama. With utmost respect for the legacy of the previous Executive Directors
Katrina Watson (2018-2022) and Jennifer Fields Hall (January-November 2023), who both played pivotal roles in building up TLC, I approached this role with great care, striving to manage all aspects of the organization effectively, while guiding our team to achieve programmatic goals in each of the 5 counties we serve. Our mission to provide essential literacy education services to those in need has always been at the forefront of our efforts.
We are currently in the midst of our fiveyear strategic plan, which has allowed us to:
- Support our learners and tutors as they embrace new technological tools and continue to meet their learning objectives
- Recognize our donors, whose investments in The Literacy Council’s work have transformed lives and positively impacted the communities we serve
- Partner with community organizations that understand literacy is fundamental to the positive change sought by those they serve
- Commend our dedicated staff, who leverage their experience and expertise to deliver top-quality programs and explore new opportunities to address the educational needs of adults and families.
With heartfelt gratitude, we present this recap of our achievements in 2023. Looking ahead, we are excited about the future as new leaders take the helm, continuing the legacy of The Literacy Council of Central Alabama and ushering in an era of promising developments.
With literacy as my topmost priority,
Danielle Tipton
Danielle M. Tipton Interim Executive Director
November 2023 - July 2024
November 2023: TLC Board of Directors named Danielle Tipton interim executive director of the organization. She concurrently serves as director of finance and operations for the organization, a role she has held since 2018.
The Literacy Council Staff
PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, January-November 2023 Jennifer Fields Hall
INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, November 2023-July 2024 Danielle Tipton
DIRECTOR OF ADULT LITERACY PROGRAMS Adrienne Marshall
DIRECTOR OF ESOL AND FIELD PROGRAMS Stephanie Lyas
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS Danielle Tipton
DIRECTOR OF LITERACY INITIATIVES
Steve Hannum
FUND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Jane Gray Eiland
IN-HOUSE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR Helen Dolive
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Heidi Holt
LITERACY PROGRAM COORDINATOR Katrina Wilkins
ESOL PROGRAM COORDINATOR Paula Rangel
BLOUNT COUNTY
LITERACY COORDINATOR Sondra Horsley
ST. CLAIR COUNTY
LITERACY COORDINATOR Ron DeThomas
WALKER COUNTY
LITERACY COORDINATOR Chandra Rice
WALKER COUNTY
ASSISTANT LITERACY COORDINATOR Wanda Spears
June 2023: Salvation Army Education & Workforce Development Center has been a friend and a partner of TLC for many years. We are grateful for all their work within the community.
2023 Why TLC Matters
Workingwithmytutor,Iimprovedmyskills. I’veneverhadaresumeandwithherhelp, Icreatedone.Iservedonacommitteeat workandpresentedtomanagement.I’ve donethingsIneverthoughtIwoulddo. AND,IgotapromotiontothejobIwanted.
-Micah,TLCLearner
2023 Board of Directors
JOY CARTER * BOARD CHAIR CommunicationsManager, AmericanCastIronPipeCo.
ANTOINE LIDDELL * VICE CHAIR VPFieldServices, SpireEnergy
WENDY ADAMS * TREASURER SeniorTaxManager, DentMoses,LLP
KATRINA MCMILLAN * SECRETARY ClaimsOperationsManager, BlueCrossBlueShield ofAlabama
SETON MARSHALL * IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR CFO, DashSolutions
MEREDITH CALHOUN * Founder, TessaCommercialRealEstate
LARRY DEEP RetiredDentist
BING EDWARDS FounderandPartner, FortifLawPartners
ERIC ESSARY CEO, McKinneyCapitol
TESSA HUGHES SeniorComplianceAttorney, VulcanMaterialsCompany
JOSH JONES * ManagingPartner, BresslerAmeryRoss
SCARLOTTE KILGORE CommunityVolunteer
LAURA KOWALCZYK VPofSupplyChain &SupportServices, UABMedicine
DAVID KASSOUF Director, Kassouf&Company
JODY MATTSON DirectorofPhilanthropyand CommunityEngagement, AmFirst
SHAWN MORGAN PresidentJasperMarket, Synovus
JIMMY OLIVER * SeniorVicePresident, ConsumerOmniChannel, RegionsBank
HINA PATEL * SalesManager, AUMEnterprises
CHUCK PRICE Judge, BirminghamMunicipalCourt
ALLISON SWAGLER ManagingDirector, BronzeValleyAccelerator, gener8tor
CARLOS TORRES ProgramDirector, HispanicInterestCoalition ofAlabama
BRIAN WILSON VicePresident CorporateHumanResources, EBSCOIndustries
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE*
The following programs align educational opportunities for adults to optimize their potential, pursue their goals, and help their families thrive.
*Adult Basic Literacy
*Digital Literacy
*English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
*Family Literacy
*General Educational Development (GED) partnership with Jefferson State Community College
*Workforce Development
The mission of The Literacy Council of Central Alabama is to improve the lives of adults and their families through literacy education that teaches people to read, write, and speak English.
Our vision is a community in which each person achieves his or her maximum literacy potential, creating a more literate and skilled society.
Literacy improves educational attainment, job opportunities, and health care; improves company productivity; and spurs economic development.
Why TLC Matters
TheLiteracyCouncilhashelped meimprovemyEnglishskills. Thisyear,IpassedtheGEDand enrolledinmyfirstcollegeclass.I madeanA!Itwasawesome.
-Marvin,TLCLearner
2023 Moments Captured
August 2023: TLC giving 40+ boxes of books to Southern Growth
February 2023: Thanks to Simplefolk Network for choosing TLC as the beneficiary of “Lyrics for Literacy” fundraiser
March 2023: TLC partnering with Indiana Prison Writers Project to offer literacy education to justice-impacted adults
July 2023: United Way of Central Alabama Centennial Celebration
March 2023: St. Clair County Chapter of TLC hosted the annual Adult Spelling Bee
April 2023: Congratulations to Learner Marvin for earning the Presidential Scholarship to UAB
September 2023 - BBB event book donations
May 2023: Director of Adult Literacy Programs Adrienne Marshall representing TLC at the Third Annual Behind The Ink presented by Me Time Book Club
February 2023: TLC 2023 Board of Directors
2023
Junior Board
ANNIE SHEFFIELD
ASHLEY GRAHAM
BAILEY REAL
BRANDIE JOHNSON
BREANNA MITCHELL
CATHERINE VINSON
EMMA DAVIS
JEFF ROGERS
JESSICA TRAHAN
KANDACE HAMILTON
KYLEE RIGGINS
LADONNA GAINES
MARY JANE (MJ) RODRIGUEZ
MEGAN MAGUIRE PROCTOR
MEREDITH HUTCHESON
MIKELA KNOX
WESLEY DISMUKE
KADIJAH SISTRUNK
GARRETT BECKER
ALYSSA JEWELL
2023 Annual Report
All smiles
August 17, 2023: Second Annual Books, Bands, & Brews
August 17, 2023: 2nd Annual Books, Bands, & Brews at Saturn
February 2023: TLC Junior Board Orientation
2023 Why TLC Matters
WhenIseemylearnerlightup. WhenIseethatmomentwhenhegetsit. Themomenthislifebegantochange. That’swhyIdothis.
-Andrea,TLCTutor
The Literacy Council of Central Alabama has provided programs that serve the most vulnerable people in the community, such as people who are experiencing homelessness seeking more stability, people seeking better employment, or people learning an additional language.
15,000 $31.80 volunteer hours for program services rendered IRS rate x $477,00 VALUE OF TOTAL VOLUNTEER IMPACT
100+ volunteer tutors
5,000+ people received direct services 11,600+ books given away
4 GED Graduates
2023 Financial Statement
TLC has strong board leadership and fiscal oversight, and the board is 100% financially invested.
Along with strong support from corporations, foundations, and individuals essential to the organization’s operation, TLC receives an annual allocation from the United Way and has an endowment that is held at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.
*Revenue gap filled by historical reserves
2023 Corporate and Foundation Donors
Their support helps ensure people in our communities have access to educational programs that help them reach their goals.
Thank you for the support
