Thank you, Concrete Cowboy Solutions for your generous donation as a 2025 Corporate Sponsor! Not only do they have the best name in the business, ​but Concrete Cowboy Solutions​ also serves WNC with new and replaced concrete driveways, patios, sidewalks, and large slabs for shops or buildings.

Concrete Cowboy Solutions shares Literacy Together’s mission to transform lives and communities through the power of literacy. Owner Benito Juarez shared this story as to WHY.​ Thank YOU, Benito and the Concrete Cowboy Solutions team​, for honoring Literacy Together through your partnership! 🤠 🙏🏼

With funding from the Pisgah Investments Foundation, we launched thirteen new ESOL classes at five different locations around Buncombe County. The introduction of these community-based ESOL classes has been nothing short of extraordinary. Since we began, these classes have quickly gained momentum, becoming a central focus for community engagement and support.

When we began volunteer recruitment over the summer, we weren’t sure what to hope for. However, the response was incredible, as enthusiastic tutors stepped forward to be part of this transformative program. Their passion and dedication have been essential in bringing this vision to life. During Tropical Storm Helene, we witnessed connections grow, highlighting the urgent need for quality literacy instruction as families navigated life after the disaster. As a result, we were able to expand our impact to thirteen community-based ESOL classes.

These include two classes at the Goodwill Industries Workforce Development Center in West Asheville; two classes at Bounty and Soul in Swannanoa, a nonprofit that provides free fresh produce and wellness education; two classes at Erwin Middle School in Buncombe County’s most ethnically diverse district; two classes at the First Baptist Church of Weaverville, and five classes at Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community in South Asheville, three of which are taught by Deerfield residents. THANK YOU, Pisgah Investments Foundation, for your support. It makes all the difference as we continue to transform lives through the power of literacy!

And to our volunteers and students . . . we couldn’t do it without you! Below is our Goodwill group class holiday party! Virginia and Rebecca teach this class and love the friendships they’re building.        

Elaha, a 19-year-old Afghan woman, arrived in the US in 2021 as a refugee. She and her relatives shared a small house provided by Catholic Charities. Soon after, she embarked on her ESOL journey with Martha, a volunteer tutor who not only taught her English but also became her friend, mentor, adopted family member, and greatest fan. You can read Elaha and Martha’s story here.

Elaha graduated from ESOL and is now taking curriculum courses at AB Tech. She plans to become a neurosurgeon! She wrote the poem “First Job Ballad,” and we are sharing it with her permission. I hope it inspires you as much as it has inspired us! Ours is a country of immigrants, new beginnings, and dreams come true. Thank you, Elaha, for putting the experiences of so many into this beautiful poem!