Bradenton, FL — 4/9/26

Community Foundation of Sarasota County Grant Expands Adult English Classes in Manatee County

Bradenton, FL – A $24,755 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County will help the Manatee Literacy Council continue providing in-person English classes for adults in Manatee County who are working to improve their literacy and job opportunities.

The funding will support small-group Adult English as a Second Language (ESL) classes held at Step Up Suncoast and in the community room at Goodwill Manasota in Bradenton, where adults attend classes twice a week to build practical language skills for work, family life, and everyday communication.

Approximately 68,000 adults in Manatee County lack the basic literacy or English skills needed to manage daily tasks, communicate effectively at work and school, and support their children’s education. For many learners, in-person classes provide a structured environment where they can practice speaking, ask questions, and build confidence.

“This support from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County allows us to continue offering classes for adults who are determined to improve their lives and create better opportunities for their families,” said Michelle Desveaux McLean, executive director of the Manatee Literacy Council. “When adults strengthen their English and literacy skills, the benefits ripple through entire families and across the community.”

Classes supported by the grant meet twice weekly for 90 minutes and are led by teachers who specialize in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Learners also receive access to Ellii, an online learning platform that reinforces classroom instruction and allows continued practice outside of class.

The Manatee Literacy Council is grateful to community partners who help make these classes possible, including Goodwill Manasota, which provides classroom space that allows adult learners to access instruction in a welcoming and convenient community setting.

Many participants are parents of school-aged children who want to better support their children’s education, communicate with teachers, and pursue improved employment opportunities. As adults gain literacy and language skills, they are better able to navigate healthcare, workplace communication, and everyday interactions.

The Manatee Literacy Council has provided free literacy programs in the community for more than 45 years, helping adults build the reading, writing, and English skills needed to achieve greater independence and economic opportunity.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County provided funding for this program through its Community Impact Fund.

About the Manatee Literacy Council

The Manatee Literacy Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Manatee County adults to independence through literacy. For more than 45 years, the organization has provided free Adult English as a Second Language (ESL) and Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs to adults who lack the reading, writing, and English language skills needed for work, family life, and full participation in the community. Through in-person classes, one-on-one tutoring, conversation groups, and digital learning tools, the Manatee Literacy Council serves hundreds of learners each year. Many participants are parents working to improve their employment opportunities and better support their children’s education. To learn more, volunteer, or support the mission, visit www.manatee-literacy.org.

About the Community Foundation of Sarasota County

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. With assets of $605 million in more than 1,600 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $44.7 million last year in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, civic engagement, animal welfare and the environment. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has been able to grant $542 million to nonprofits in our community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families and businesses. For more information, visit cfsarasota.org or call 941-955-3000.