On the evening of April 10, 2025, something extraordinary happened at our Toast to Literacy celebration: a room full of people came together to enjoy good food, wine, and conversation and to support a mission that changes lives every day.

 

Your presence, generosity, and belief in Aspire made Toast to Literacy an incredible success. Whether you were a sponsor, guest, volunteer, or someone cheering us on from afar, you contributed to a night that will have a lasting impact beyond the ballroom. Thank you!

 

We gathered to support adult learners who are working to earn their GEDs, learn English, build workforce skills, and improve their families' futures. Because of you, those students will have more resources, encouragement, and opportunities in the year ahead.

 

As I looked around the room that evening—filled with long-time supporters, new friends, staff, board members, and volunteers, I felt something powerful: community. We believe that literacy and education are not luxuries but lifelines and that every adult deserves the chance to read to their child, fill out a job application, or speak confidently in a new language.

 

On behalf of our team, our board, and especially our students, thank you for making Toast to Literacy 2025 a celebration to remember. Your support lights the path forward—for Aspire and every brave student walking through our doors.

 

With deep gratitude,
 

 

When you walk into Chuck's classroom at Aspire, you see a man who's lived many lives—engineer, military officer, expat, father, and now, a dedicated volunteer literacy teacher. With calm confidence and quiet passion, Chuck helps adults reclaim their education one sound, one word at a time.

 

His journey to Aspire began decades ago, on a very different path. After earning a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas, Chuck taught at West Point—an experience that shaped how he approaches teaching today: with clarity, structure, and a deep respect for his students.

 

Later, his work in the energy industry took him around the world, including stints in Finland, Norway, and Spain. He and his wife raised two children along the way, navigating the joys and challenges of life abroad. Eventually, they returned to Texas and the community that had always felt like home.

 

Now retired, Chuck teaches in Aspire's adult reading program. His students are English speakers who never had the chance to learn how to read and write their own language. "It's a totally different kind of teaching," Chuck says. "We're starting from scratch. It's humbling."

 

Their determination constantly inspires him: "Sometimes, they take multiple buses in the snow and rain to get here. They show up early, homework in hand. They're juggling jobs, kids, and life—and still, they come. That's what makes me proud."

 

In recognition of his impact, Chuck was honored with the Charles Aberg Legacy of Literacy Award at Aspire's 2025 Toast to Literacy. The award celebrates a volunteer whose service, dedication, and compassion leave a lasting mark on our community.

 

Chuck's story is one of service, both in uniform and in the classroom. Like so many Aspire volunteers, he's found that giving his time has given him something back: purpose, connection, and the joy of watching others rise.

As National Volunteer Month comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the many volunteers who make Aspire’s work possible—people like Chuck, who brings care, patience, and a steady presence to every classroom he leads.

 

Chuck’s story is just one of many. Every week, Aspire volunteers help adults develop reading, language, and job skills that open new doors for themselves and their families, and the need is growing.
 

If you’ve ever thought about giving your time in a meaningful way, now’s the perfect time to start. As we end this month of appreciation, we invite you to begin your own volunteer story with Aspire.

Formerly known as LIFT and Aberg Center for Literacy

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