Bradenton, FL – November 21, 2025

Imagine standing in a grocery aisle and not being able to read the label on a jar of peanut butter. Imagine a job application you can’t complete, even though you have the skills to succeed.

Imagine trying so hard to earn the resources to be reunited with your children, who had to remain in your home country.

This was Dorothy’s life when she first came to the Manatee Literacy Council.

She was a single mother, cleaning the Sarasota Airport, and desperate to find the resources to help her reach her goal of getting a better-paying job and eventually reunite with her children. Dorothy attended classes regularly, never missed an MLC event, and everyone noticed her tenacity and sparkling personality. When we found resources to hire an office administrator, Dorothy was a perfect fit! Fluent in Creole, French, and Spanish and an Advanced English Language Learner, she went to work helping our learners connect to the resources that they needed. Changes in her personal life required her to move to another state, but the support and experience she gained with MLC changed her life as well as others. Last month, she passed the written exam for her CNA certification, opening the door to a better job and a brighter future. She says in touch with us, and we are so happy for her and the progress that she continues to make, and pray that her family will be reunited.

Your Gift Works. Here’s the Proof.

Because of supporters like you, in the past year, we have:

• Served more than 400 adult learners from 40+ countries and backgrounds.
• Helped learners achieve an average 13% improvement in reading and English skills.
• Trained and supported 67 volunteers and tutors who provided almost 3,000 hours of assistance.
• Assisted 12 learners in passing their citizenship tests.
• Added a new digital tool that ensures every learner can begin learning sooner.
• Collaborated with other organizations to promote other forms of literacy, like family and digital literacy.
• Increased our in-person and virtual classrooms.

What Your Gift Can Do Today:

• $35 → Provides placement testing for a new learner.
• $75 → Covers training expenses for one new tutor.
• $200 → One in-person class for a week.
• $500 → Sponsors a learner for an entire year of tutoring and support.

Dorothy’s success is one story, but hundreds more adults in Manatee County are still waiting for the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.

You can give that chance today.

Please make your tax-deductible gift by December 31st to help us reach our Annual Appeal goal of $30,000 and ensure every learner who walks through our doors gets the support they deserve.

You can double your donation through the generosity of The Flanzer Philanthropic Trust*, which may match your donation between $5 and $500 through their website, The Flanzer Trust, or give today at manatee-literacy.org.

Every gift, especially when matched through the Flanzer Philanthropic Trust, opens the door for more learners to grow, succeed, and change their futures. Thank you for standing with us and investing in the power of literacy.

If you would like to donate to MLC to help support the services that change lives in our community,

please consider donating through The Flanzer .

If you would like more information on what MLC is doing to increase the literacy level of adults in Manatee County, please email us at info@manatee-literacy.org.

If you would like to donate to help Manatee County reach this transformational goal, please visit our donation page.