On the evening of April 30, 2026, something special filled the room at Toast to Literacy: a shared belief that education has the power to change lives.

 

Because of you, it was an extraordinary night. Whether you joined us as a sponsor, a guest, a volunteer, or supported from afar, your presence and generosity made a real difference. Thank you.

 

We came together to support adult learners doing the hard, brave work of earning their GEDs, learning English, building workforce skills, and building better futures for their families. The resources and encouragement generated that evening will follow those students throughout the year ahead.

 

Looking around the room, at long-time supporters, new friends, staff, board members, and volunteers, it was clear: this is community. At Aspire, we believe literacy and education are not luxuries, they are lifelines. Every adult deserves the chance to read to their child, fill out a job application, or find their voice in a new language.

 

On behalf of our team, our board, and, most importantly, our students, thank you for making Toast to Literacy 2026 a night to remember. Your support lights the way forward for Aspire and for every courageous learner who walks through our doors.

 

With deep gratitude,

Paul DiBiase

The spring semester has come to a close, and the wins went far beyond language or GED skills. Students gained confidence in their everyday lives at grocery stores, in their workplace, at the doctor's office, and across the board; people left the classroom standing a little taller than when they arrived.

 

That is what adult education is really about: the confidence to step forward, face challenges, and feel at home in your community. None of this happens without our dedicated volunteer instructors, who show up every week to build something rare, a space where people feel safe enough to try, stumble, and grow.

 

As we celebrate these accomplishments and watch students advance to higher levels, the energy is contagious. Together, we are building pathways to opportunity and belonging, one step at a time.

The Aspire family mourns the sudden loss of George M. “Rick” Illes, Jr., whose generosity, leadership, and steady presence impacted many lives in Dallas. Rick was a renowned philanthropist, respected business owner, and a firm believer in the value of supporting others. His passing is a significant loss for Aspire and all who knew him. Rick gave his time generously and remained deeply committed to the community, always without seeking recognition.

 

Rick’s connection to Aspire stretched back many years to his service on the LIFT Board of Directors, where he served as Board Chairman with distinction and unwavering commitment. His decision to later return to serve on the Aspire Board reflected his deep belief in our mission and in the brave students we support.

 

Rick led with quiet wisdom, sincerity, and selflessness. Above all, he was a devoted father and a dedicated community member. He will be greatly missed, fondly remembered, and always honored for his lasting impact on Aspire and the city he loved. 

George M. "Rick" Illes, Jr., beloved father, grandfather, friend, respected businessman, philanthropist, art collector, and outdoorsman, passed away on April 17, 2026, at the age of 76.

Rick was born in Dallas, Texas, on May 2, 1949, the son of George M. Illes and Eleanor Emma Perry Illes. Rick grew up in Dallas and came to the family business in the 1970s, joining his father, George, and Uncle Robert in the flavoring and seasonings enterprise his grandfather had built. 

 

Beyond the business, Rick was a man of deep civic conscience and quiet, consistent generosity. He served formerly as Chair of Aspire (formerly LIFT and the Aberg Center for Literacy), a Dallas nonprofit providing adult literacy programs, GED preparation, ESL instruction, workforce training, and early childhood education to underserved communities. 

 

Across all his civic work, Rick gave freely of his time, treasure, and presence to causes addressing literacy and socio-economic inequality, the things that kept him up at night. 

 

The family requests that any gifts be made in Rick's memory to Holy Trinity Church (htdallas.org), Aspire (aspiretolearn.org), or the Community Council of Greater Dallas (ccadvance.org).

 

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store. 

 

Link for full Obituary: https://obits.dallasnews.com/us/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/name/george-illes-obituary?id=61327479 

As we close Mental Health Awareness Month, we are reminded of how deeply our mental well-being shapes every aspect of our lives. 

 

Adult learners do not arrive at Aspire as blank canvases. They walk in, carrying complex lives: dreams for something better, worries about the road ahead, and, often, very real struggles. 

 

That is why what happens inside an Aspire classroom goes beyond lessons and worksheets. Our volunteer teachers and staff work hard to build something more fundamental, a place where people feel genuinely seen. Where mistakes are expected, small victories are celebrated, and community is treated as seriously as curriculum.

 

The results have a way of spreading. ESL students who once went quiet in public start speaking up. GED students begin believing in themselves. Adults who quietly avoided everyday reading tasks start tackling them with pride. The confidence built in the classroom follows people home, into their neighborhoods, and into the rest of their lives.

 

Learning does something powerful for the mind. It builds connection, restores a sense of forward motion, and reminds people they are capable, sometimes even for the first time.

 

Aspire is proud to be that kind of space for hundreds of adult learners in our community. And this month, we are reminded just how much it matters. 

 

If you are interested in participating in this work, consider volunteering with Aspire in the upcoming semester!

Formerly known as LIFT and Aberg Center for Literacy

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