Interview and video by Dulce Villa. Photos provided by Aspire.
In 2020, two Dallas literacy organizations—Aberg Center for Literacy and Literacy Instruction for Texas (LIFT)—came together to form Aspire, uniting 77 years of combined experience in providing life-changing educational services. Aspire’s mission is clear: to help students reach their learning and career goals, empowering them to improve their lives through targeted educational programs. By focusing on literacy as a gateway to opportunity, Aspire offers compassionate and supportive instruction to individuals of all ages.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Paul DiBiase, Interim President and CEO of Aspire, to discuss the organization’s impact, growth, and exciting future initiatives. In this interview, Paul shares how Aspire continues to evolve while staying true to its vision of helping students turn obstacles into opportunities through the power of learning.
Paul: At Aspire, we like to say that we meet our students exactly where they are. In our programs, we conduct assessments and evaluations to ensure they’re placed at the appropriate level, whether it’s ESL, GED preparation, or our Sequential English Education Program, which is designed for adults reading at a second or third-grade level. We take the time to evaluate them thoroughly, making sure they’re in the right place to achieve their goals.
Paul: At Aspire, our literacy programs are the foundation of what we do. In 2017 we begin the workforce training program. The Workforce Training Program is a piece where someone can come in and in two short days, they will receive a certificate in pit training and an OSHA certificate, certificate, and that’s allows them to get into the logistics field. It’s a quick turnaround, because our focus at Aspire in our workforce program is on people who are living in poverty or they’re working and making less than a living wage. So we feel like it’s very important for them to get in, get certified, and then get some job placement and start their new career.
Paul: We have so many success stories, especially from our Sequential English Education Program, which we run in conjunction with the Shelton School. One story that stands out is about a young man who came to us with a very simple goal: for the first time in his life, he wanted to write a birthday card to his father. He started at level one, moved through levels two and three, and eventually, he did write that birthday card. But he didn’t stop there. Because of the progress he made in our classes, he continued and completed all levels of the program. Now, he’s working on his GED and is on track to become a high school graduate. This story shows the power of what can happen when a brave student reaches out for help—you never know where it will lead, and in this case, it’s leading to something amazing.
Dallas Doing Good is proud to continue our partnership with the Communities Foundation of Texas for North Texas Giving Day! This year, we’re spotlighting outstanding organizations that align with CFT’s focus areas—Health, Wealth, Living, and Learning.
Join us in supporting these impactful organizations. Your donations help drive innovation and support essential services in our community. Learn more and give today at Aspire’s North Texas Giving Day page. Together, we make a difference!
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