Blue Ridge Literacy continued with its planned programming in the third quarter of FY 24-25 by offering Beyond The Classroom Walls project in 11 in-person and online ESOL classes across five proficiency levels. BRL’s Executive Director and Board are currently developing the organization’s new strategic plan, which will include considerations of potential challenges and opportunities ahead.
As we have entered 2025, we have been closely monitoring potential changes in grant and funding agreement structures due to the new administration. While we are not directly impacted by state or federal funding changes, we recognize that these shifts could affect the broader community-based literacy landscape, and we are prepared to adapt. As we move into the last quarter of FY 24-25, we remain committed to ensuring that Blue Ridge Literacy’s learners have access to accurate, up-to-date information, particularly regarding immigrant and refugee legal issues. We are collaborating closely with other community-based literacy organizations and local partners to stay informed and prepared to provide the necessary resources. While there are always variables to consider, Blue Ridge Literacy remains committed to providing high-quality, accessible, affordable, and relevant English literacy services to immigrant and refugee adults in our community. We will continue to monitor and adjust as needed to remain responsive to our community’s needs.
Lastly, Blue Ridge Literacy is celebrating 40 years of service in 2025. As we reflect on the significant progress we’ve made together with our community, we reaffirm our commitment to helping adults achieve their life goals through literacy. For four decades, we have improved, adapted, and diversified our services to equip adults with the functional literacy skills they need to read, write, and communicate in English, navigate everyday interactions, make long-term plans, and build a sense of belonging in their communities.