Literacy and Beyond’s 2GEN Learning Center recently received a $27,500 grant from the Community Foundation to support the expansion of its college and career programming for GED students and 2GEN graduates. 

Heather Kendrick, a 2GEN GED graduate and current student at St. Clair County Community College, credits her success to the support that she has received from the staff at the 2GEN Learning Center. She says that “as soon as you walk through the door, you know that you’re going to succeed here. There’s no shame or judgment for weaknesses, just support to help everyone. We’re all here cheering each other on, staff and students.” 

The 2GEN Learning Center opened in the fall of 2017 using a holistic two-generation approach (serving women and their children together) that moves families toward economic security by improving educational attainment (GED and associate degree for mothers and early learning skills for their children) in addition to addressing the non-academic barriers that hinder their success.

For enrolled women, the 2GEN program includes tutoring from certified teachers, free developmental childcare on-site for their children, coaching and individual counseling from a licensed counselor, parent engagement opportunities, meals, transportation assistance and help with other individual student barriers.

“Providing holistic support and having a caring and professional staff are invaluable for the success of our program model,” said Dawn Schweihofer, program director. 

The Community Foundation grant will help the 2GEN Learning Center expand the support it provides to GED students and graduates as they explore and pursue the next steps after earning their GED. That support includes intense and personalized advising from an on-site College and Career Navigator beginning with career exploration then step-by-step assistance to enroll graduates at SC4 or into other certificate or licensing programs through Michigan Works and other providers. 2GEN graduates who choose to pursue an associate degree at SC4 are encouraged to attend the 2GEN Learning Center where they can continue to take advantage of the childcare program, professional counseling and a dedicated study lab. 

Additionally, a portion of the grant is supporting the 2GEN G.R.A.D.S. (Graduates Receiving Associate Degree Support) Scholarship which is awarded to five 2GEN graduates yearly. The scholarship includes a new laptop, monthly life needs stipends and intense advising from enrollment to completion of an associate degree at SC4.

For other graduates who aren’t awarded the scholarship the grant is helping to pay for several laptops to be used while they study at the 2GEN Learning Center which can also be taken home to support the completion of their college coursework.

While holistic support, highly-qualified staff and funding from donors like the Community Foundation are indispensable, “the essential ingredient for the success of our program is our commitment to building genuine relationships with the women and children that we serve. We do that through acceptance, unconditional love, and a relentless belief in their potential,” Literacy and Beyond Executive Director Mike Hinkley said. “Building loving relationships affords us the opportunity to challenge and empower the women we serve to become the very best version of themselves which has a life-changing impact on their children and future generations of their families as well.”

Having struggled with a learning disability her entire life, Kendrick agrees. “I have always had people tell me what I couldn’t do, but at 2GEN, I was encouraged every day to work at my pace and make progress. When I walked into 2GEN, I was looking for someone to save me. With all of the support and encouragement here, I learned that I can be my own hero, and everyone else can too.”