Bradenton, FL — 3/22/26

When one Person Steps Forward:  Keeping our In-Person English classes alive.

For more than 40 years, the Manatee Literacy Council has helped adults in our community to read, write, and speak English. One of the most important ways we do that is through our in-person English classes, where learners gather each week with a professional teacher and a supportive group of peers to build the skills they need for everyday life. Right now, we offer five in-person classes that meet regularly throughout the county. Together, these classes serve more than 100 adult learners each quarter. They are taught by certified teachers and supported by modern learning tools like Ellii, which helps learners practice reading, writing, speaking, and listening both inside and outside the classroom.

For many learners, these classes are a turning point. Participants tell us that improving their English helps them secure better jobs, communicate more confidently with employers and neighbors, and navigate everyday tasks that once felt overwhelming. Parents share that they are now better able to support their children at school, and, importantly, that they no longer have to rely on their children to translate for them.

But this past quarter, these classes were nearly lost. Over the last year, the funding landscape for adult literacy programs has changed dramatically. Resources that once supported programs like ours have become far more limited. Like many nonprofit organizations, we have been working diligently to piece together funding from multiple sources just to keep essential programs running.

As we prepared for the upcoming quarter, from April through June, we were faced with a difficult reality. Without additional support, we would have had to cancel our in-person classes, leaving more than 100 learners without the instruction they depend on. Then something remarkable happened: one of our volunteers stepped forward.

Seeta Devi Giannone, who serves on our Finance Committee, saw the gap in funding and understood what it would mean for our learners if these classes disappeared. Without hesitation, she made a personal pledge of $2,000 to cover the shortfall, ensuring that the classes could continue this quarter. Seeta’s generosity is deeply personal. As an immigrant herself, she understands firsthand the power of education and the doors that open when people have the opportunity to learn. Today, she is an accomplished accountant and the mother of two college-educated young adults, and she believes strongly in helping others build the same foundation for success. Because of Seeta’s kindness and leadership, over 100 adult learners will continue attending class this spring, learning English, building confidence, and taking steps toward brighter futures.

At the Manatee Literacy Council, we often talk about how one person can change a life through literacy. This quarter, one person helped ensure that over 100 lives stay on track.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who donates their time, talent, and treasure to help us continue this mission. Every contribution makes a difference, from $5 a month through the Flanzer matching program, to volunteers who help lead conversation classes, to supporters who rally behind us during the Giving Challenge. Together, these acts of generosity ensure that adults in our community continue to have the opportunity to learn, grow, and build better futures.

About the Manatee Literacy Council
The Manatee Literacy Council empowers adult learners in Manatee County to achieve independence through literacy. Through free English language classes, tutoring, and community-based learning programs, MLC supports hundreds of adults each year in strengthening their reading, writing, and English communication skills.

*In the photo:  Board Treasurer, Rob Johnson, and Finance Committee Member and Donor, Seeta Devi Giannone.