Literacy initiatives at the Hawkinsville Workforce Development Center (HWDC), where Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) houses Adult Education Division (AED) programs alongside its partner, Help Network Inc., recently received a boost in funding thanks to a $4,250 grant from the Georgia Power Foundation.

Help Network Inc., is a non-profit organization and is the Pulaski County Certified Literate Community Program (CLCP). CLCP’s across the College’s service area support literacy and GED® acquisition alongside the work of the AED.

“We strive to add quality of life by providing and supporting programs that will work toward this community goal,” said, Lucious Bray, chairman of the Pulaski County CLCP Board, who alongside his grandson Naikari Bray and colleague Cynthia Crisp put together the grant application.
“We are thankful for the Georgia Power Foundation for thinking enough of our work to award us this grant,” Bray added.

The Pulaski County CLCP produces 10 to 20 GED® graduates per year. Grant funds will help offset student costs for taking the exams through scholarships and will aid in transportation to and from testing centers.

“Whatever this funding can do to help Mr. Bray and this community, the Georgia Power Foundation would like to be a part of it,” said Mike Roper, Georgia Power’s local manager for External Affairs Southwest Region, during a short ceremony at the HWDC last week.

The Hawkinsville Workforce Development Center is home to both adult education and credit instruction at the College, including dual enrollment with the high school. Housing multiple entry points for education under one roof are something the Center’s director, Marcus Early, hopes shorten the divide of access.

“Rural communities need to know that we are here offering multiple avenues, working with community partners to offer an education that leads to career and personal growth,” he said. “This grant for the Help Network, Inc. will do quite a bit to help achieve these goals and we are pleased to see Georgia Power support these efforts.”