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Seeds of Literacy asks for $250,000 per year to expand adult GED and tutoring services
Summary
Seeds of Literacy requested $250,000 annually to expand one‑to‑one adult GED tutoring and virtual classroom services as enrollment has grown 75% since previous funding, with student ambassadors testifying to life‑changing impacts.
Bonnie Entler, president and CEO of Seeds of Literacy, asked the committee to allocate $250,000 per fiscal year to sustain and expand a one‑to‑one adult literacy and GED preparation program based in Cleveland that serves students across Ohio.
Entler said demand has outpaced resources, enrollment has grown roughly 75% since the last legislative allocation, and the organization relies heavily on volunteers (about 350 tutors). She described program features including individualized assessment, alignment to GED benchmarks and flexible scheduling to reduce barriers like childcare and transportation.
A student ambassador described a multi‑year journey to earn a GED with Seeds' tutoring and said the program changed her employment prospects, confidence and engagement with the community. Entler said state funding would support virtual and in‑person expansion to reach adults in shelters, recovery programs and correctional facilities.
Committee members thanked witnesses and asked follow‑up questions about outreach and scale; witnesses described student ambassador programs and partnerships with community organizations to recruit students and volunteers. No committee vote or appropriation was recorded in the hearing.
