Adult learning academy to
receive new building
By Richard Payne
Staff
Writer
Local residents will have the opportunity to learn
in a new building this spring.
Sen. Ron Alting, R-22nd, recently announced the
approval of $135,000 in state funding from the Build Indiana Fund for
the renovation of a building for the Lafayette Adult Resource Academy,
formerly the Lafayette Adult Reading Academy.
"It’s been about seven months (since
we submitted the application)," said JoAnn Vorst, directory of
the academy. "We finally got (the funds) this month."
Many learners at the academy are either Purdue
students or the spouses of Purdue students, said Vorst.
The academy offers free courses in academic skills,
computer skills, English literature, family literature, GED preparation,
job readiness, life skills and workplace/education training.
"Fifty-one percent of our population is from
other countries," said Vorst. "A lot of them are learning
English."
The academy has around 2,000 learners a year, said
Vorst.
The funds will be used to renovate and build a
kitchen, bathrooms, tear down old walls, add classrooms and add new
doors, said Vorst.
Construction should be done by Dec. 31, said Vorst.
The Build Indiana Fund was created in 1989 by the
Lottery Act. The fund includes money from the Hoosier Lottery and other
state gambling taxes and is used for various financial purposes throughout
the state.
The Lafayette Adult Resource Academy has won numerous
awards, including the Secretary of Education’s Award for Outstanding
Adult Education twice, once in 1988 and once in 1999, said Vorst.
To learn more about the academy, call 449-3890.
|
