Dear Friends of Aspire,

 

As the year ends and the holiday season approaches, I am deeply grateful for the journey we have shared. This year has brought growth, resilience, and significant progress, thanks to our students’ determination and the steadfast support of the Aspire community.

 

Our students remind us daily why this work is important. We have seen adults read for the first time, parents gain confidence to read to their children, students earn their GED, and graduates begin new careers. These are not small milestones; they represent transformed lives and stronger families. Each success story demonstrates courage and the belief that learning is a gateway to a better life.

 

This year marked a significant chapter in Aspire’s growth. As demand for adult literacy and workforce education increased in North Texas, we expanded by opening new classrooms and learning sites throughout Dallas. Each new partner location allowed us to welcome more students and strengthen our impact in the communities that need us most. This growth reflects your trust in our mission and your belief in every learner’s potential.

 

To our donors, stakeholders, and Board of Directors, thank you for supporting Aspire. Your generosity and partnership enable us to meet students where they are and support them throughout their educational journey. You invest not only in programs, but in people, and the impact of your support is felt throughout our community.

 

To our staff and volunteers, thank you for your dedication. You are the heart of Aspire. Your commitment and compassion are evident every day in our classrooms. Aspire’s success is a direct result of your belief in our mission and those we serve. I am thankful for each of you.

 

On behalf of Aspire, I wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a New Year filled with hope, possibility, and continued impact.

 

With appreciation,

We had many reasons to celebrate this semester. Across all of our Aspire locations, students wrapped up a successful ESL semester filled with steady progress, meaningful connections, and plenty of moments worth celebrating.

 

From the first week of class to the final days of the semester, our classrooms were active, welcoming spaces where learning and community grew side by side.

Our ESL students showed up week after week, determined in their language learning journey. Whether they were beginning to learn English or building on skills they had worked hard to develop, each student played a role in shaping a semester full of growth and encouragement.

 

We ended the fall semester with a recognition ceremony and potluck lunch that brought everyone together. Tables were lined with home-cooked dishes, from tamales to noodle dishes, each reflecting the stories and traditions our students bring. Laughter and conversation filled the room as students practiced English, exchanged recipes, and celebrated how far they have come together.

 

One of the most rewarding parts of every semester is seeing confidence take root. Students who once hesitated to speak were chatting comfortably with classmates. New friendships formed across languages and backgrounds, reminding us that learning English is about much more than lessons; it is about connection.

 

At Aspire, our ESL curriculum integrates Reading, Grammar, Writing, Listening, and Speaking to support real-world communication and confidence. That approach, combined with our dedicated volunteer instructors, creates an environment where students feel supported as they learn, make mistakes, and grow.

 

We are deeply grateful to our volunteer instructors who bring patience and care to every class. Their commitment is at the heart of what makes Aspire work.

 

This semester may be ending, but learning at Aspire never stops! Spring registration is now in full swing for our ESL, GED, and Adult Reading classes. If you know someone who could benefit from these programs, please share our interest form link to help us continue building opportunities through education.

The Toast To Literacy website is up and running and waiting for you to visit! This site has everything you need to know about our exciting 2026 event. Click the button below to get all the details and secure your tickets.

Toast to Literacy is one of Aspire’s most important annual events and a vital source of support for our literacy and workforce programs. For more than 12 years, this celebration has helped open doors for thousands of North Texas adults and families.

 

And you can make an even bigger impact by becoming a sponsor! 🤝

 

Sponsoring the event is a powerful way to support our mission of creating meaningful outcomes that reflect our students' individual priorities. Your sponsorship helps us continue providing national best-practice solutions for students.

 

Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy an inspiring evening while contributing to a cause that is working to make a permanent positive impact on generational literacy trends in North Texas.

 

For details on tickets or sponsorship, visit toasttoliteracy.org. If you have questions about sponsorship opportunities, please email our President and CEO, Paul DiBiase, at pauldibiase@aspiretolearn.org.

 

Thank you for being part of this incredible effort to create positive change and help break the cycle of low literacy in our community!

Are you looking for a way to give back to your community? Aspire is looking for ESL teaching volunteers at its partner locations across Dallas and volunteers to teach GED preparation classes online.

 

Even if you have no teaching experience, Aspire will help you gain the skills to be an effective instructor. You provide the love for learning, and we provide the training!

 

Join us as we work together to help make a lasting mark on people’s lives.

 

Learn more and apply at www.aspiretolearn.org/volunteer.

Formerly known as LIFT and Aberg Center for Literacy

Copyright © 2024 Aspire • Aspire is a 501(c)(3). Our registration number is 75-1095223