The Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) recently awarded Paris Junior College Adult Education and Literacy (PJC AEL) a $10,000 grant to support adult literacy.
The funds are a part of a record-setting, one-day donation in the Foundation’s history of more than $13.2 million to support adult, family, and summer literacy programs in the 48 states in which Dollar General operates.
“PJC AEL is honored to be a recipient of this grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation,” said Todd Lehenbauer, Lead for Program Administration at PJC AEL. “As our program continues to grow, this literacy grant will be instrumental in supporting our students as they work toward achieving their educational goals. The additional funding will enable us to provide GED Ready test vouchers and GED exam vouchers, creating meaningful opportunities that can positively impact their lives. We look forward to a productive year of empowering individuals within our communities.”
PJC AEL provides services to individuals covering an eight-county area in Northeast Texas, which consists of over 4,750 square miles and over 250,000 inhabitants. We service approximately 1,000 individuals per year in areas of GED Prep, ESL, Internationally Trained Professionals, Re-entry, and Integrated Education and Training.
“For over 30 years, the Foundation has been investing in literacy and basic education programs in our hometown communities,” shared Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “Today’s grant announcement is a celebration of our unwavering commitment to student and teacher success. We are grateful to all the grant recipients for their commitment to advancing education and helping students thrive.”
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports organizations that increase access to educational programming, stimulate and enable innovation in the delivery of educational instruction and inspire a love of reading. Each year, DGLF awards funds to nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center to support adult, family, summer and youth literacy programs. The Foundation also offers a student referral program for individuals interested in learning how to read, speak English, or prepare for the high school equivalency exam. Referrals to a local organization that provides free literacy services are available online here or through referral cards found in the Learn to Read brochures that are available at the cash register of every Dollar General store.
The Foundation also plans to launch its sixth annual The Yellow Glasses Project campaign on July 21, 2025, in which customers can purchase yellow sunglasses at Dollar General stores for $2 each to benefit the DGLF.
About Paris Junior College Adult Education and Literacy
Paris Junior College Adult Education and Literacy (PJC AEL) offers a comprehensive program to support learners in achieving their educational and career goals. Whether you’re preparing for the High School Equivalency (HSE) exam, improving your English language skills, or seeking workforce development training, PJC provides a range of options to meet your needs. For more details, visit the Paris Junior College Adult Education page.
About the Dollar General Literacy Foundation
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded more than $271 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 23 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. Each year, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation provides financial support to schools, nonprofit organizations and libraries within a 15-mile radius of Dollar General stores and distribution centers. To learn more about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation or apply for a literacy grant, visit www.dgliteracy.org.
