Literacy Phoenix dedicates downtown learning center, highlights expanded services and rebrand

Literacy Phoenix dedicated its new Downtown Learning Center in Phoenix on May 15, 2025, with Mayor Kate Gallego on hand to join board members, students and community supporters for a ribbon-cutting and plaque unveiling recognizing long-time support from the Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association (VNSA).

The opening marks an expansion of the nonprofit’s adult-education offerings, which include high school equivalency (GED) preparation, English-for-speakers-of-other-languages (ESL) classes, civics and citizenship instruction, and work-skills training such as the retail industry fundamentals (RIF) certificate. Literacy Phoenix leaders said the center will add classroom capacity, continue a hybrid in-person/virtual model and rely on a mix of state and federal grants plus donor support.

"Literacy Phoenix is such a treasure for our city," Mayor Kate Gallego said at the dedication, thanking staff, volunteers and board members for the organization’s work to connect residents to jobs and services. Jesus Love, chief executive officer of Literacy Phoenix, said the organization provides multiple pathways for adult learners and emphasized the role of volunteers and grant funding in day-to-day operations. "We exist because of you," Love said.

The ceremony featured several students who described how the organization helped them meet educational goals. Roderick Nesosi, 35, who said he passed the GED on March 20 while participating in a paid medical study, told the audience, "I recently passed the GED and got my high school equivalency diploma." Cecilia Franco, who said she became a U.S. citizen three weeks earlier, and Yara Ding, who described arriving to the U.S. as a refugee and later training as a caregiver, also spoke about their learning journeys and how classes helped them pursue work and family goals.

Board treasurer Chase Lane, chief executive officer of LT Agency, framed the center as an investment in residents’ ability to choose their futures, saying, "Education is like the quiet architect that's behind every choice that we get to make in our lives." Lane thanked VNSA for long-term support and urged attendees to help spread awareness of Literacy Phoenix’s downtown presence.

Jesus Love outlined operational details and the organization’s history: Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa County began in 1982 and remains the legal corporate name, but the group rebranded as Literacy Phoenix to simplify community recognition. He said the nonprofit is a ProLiteracy member (the merged national organization formed in 2022) and that the downtown location complements an existing Sunnyslope learning center. Love said the site will be improved further, including adding two classrooms to bring total capacity to seven rooms, and that classes are taught simultaneously in person and online to increase reach.

Speakers attributed program capacity to a mix of funding sources. Chase Lane and Love thanked both state and federal grants and private donations, and Love noted the organization also benefits from proceeds of local used-book sales organized by VNSA. Love said Literacy Phoenix serves "over a thousand" learners across its programs and that, at the time of the dedication, the organization reported no waiting list for enrollment.

The dedication included a cast-aluminum plaque honoring VNSA, which the plaque text states has supported local nonprofits since 1957 and has been a key sponsor of Literacy Phoenix since 1987. The plaque inscription shown at the event reads, in part, "This learning center stands as a tribute to VNSA, Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association, in honor of their unwavering dedication to the community. Enriching lives and inspiring a love for learning. 05/15/2025."

Organizers encouraged community members to refer adults who need basic literacy, GED preparation or English classes to Literacy Phoenix and to consider volunteering or serving on the nonprofit’s board. The group reminded attendees about an annual VNSA used-book sale that supports local charities and invited visitors to tour the new center and attend upcoming graduations and classes.

Planned next steps announced at the event include interior improvements at the downtown site, the addition of two classrooms, and continued emphasis on hybrid instruction to expand enrollment. No formal city action or legislative measures were taken at the dedication; the ceremony was celebratory and informational.

The dedication concluded with a plaque unveiling and ribbon cutting and an invitation for refreshments and tours of the facility.