Charlotte has a literacy crisis.
ALP has a solution. 2023 Annual Report
Unlocking a Brighter Future for Our Children: The Time for ALP’s Expansion is Now The mission of ALP has always been to empower our children with the key to a brighter future – literacy. For years, our staff, tutors, and board, with unwavering support from our community, have diligently worked to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has access to the transformative power of early literacy intervention. Our journey started small, with just a handful of students. As we reflect on our history, we see the seeds of our efforts sprouting. ALP has grown from serving six students in 2005 to reaching 500 children this school year. But our journey is far from over. The demand for our services is staggering: 20,000 students from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools need the early literacy intervention ALP provides. It is time for ALP to transform its reach. We have a scalability plan for realizing this vision. It is an audacious mission and one we can achieve. We have already started the next phase of our journey. In January, ALP will launch the first of many cohorts using our game-changing digital interface with support from Bank of America volunteers. We will carry out this work in addition to our in-person model, which we continue to grow at unprecedented levels. But we cannot do this work alone. Our ability to realize our vision will depend on our community–the stakeholders and partners who support children– taking the bold steps needed to ensure that every child has access to the intervention they need. This work won’t be easy or risk-free, but we are undaunted. We must move forward. Our children deserve the chance to grow, learn, dream, and succeed. The time is now because our children cannot wait. Warmest regards,
Steve Hall Executive Director
Title 1 Elementary schools not served by ALP
ALP Partner Schools
Approach
Curriculum
Training
Support
ALP’s curriculum perfectly aligns with the science of reading.
ALP’s three-day focused training can prepare anyone to be an effective literacy tutor.
ALP provides ongoing training, site coordination, and support for all tutors.
Impact
1.7
9,023
364
students received ALP intervention
This is largest percentage of growth over any previous year.
lessons were provided at no charge to families, schools, or community partners.
average grade level increase in word attack—the critical ability to recognize a printed word and connect it to the spoken word it represents.
An independent 2022 UNCC study calls the impact of ALP’s program “very large.”
Growth During 2022–23, ALP harnessed the power of innovation and experience to positively impact the lives of 364 students. Traditional Expansion: ALP deepened its work in its Title 1 partner schools by making an unwavering commitment to serving over 20 students at each site. ALP remains a preferred partner of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools as the only outside tutoring provider of phonics-based instruction during the school day. Community Partners: ALP shared literacy expertise by forging innovative new alliances with 20 trusted community organizations. By providing curriculum, training, and program know-how, ALP empowered local organizations to meet the literacy needs of their communities. Higher Education: ALP’s collaboration with Davidson College continued for a 4th year, training talented college students to serve as local tutors. But that’s not all – ALP also developed a new tutor training partnership with Queens University. ALP is committed to expanding these areas of delivery.
Partnership Spotlight Last summer, ALP forged a community partnership with The Learning Collaborative (TLC), a trusted and beloved preschool in the Grier Heights neighborhood. The goal was to provide literacy instruction to younger children. ALP tailored its curriculum to meet the needs of Pre-K students, while TLC contributed dedicated tutors that ALP expertly trained. Many of these tutors were Grier Heights residents who remain steadfastly connected to the community through a ministry called I AM 24/7. One tutor had grown up just two doors away from the TLC student she mentored throughout the summer. Leilani, a bright rising kindergartener, was one of the children who participated in the program. It was a transformative collaboration. The synergy between ALP and TLC left both organizations eager to continue this programming. As for Leilani, after participating in the summer program, she is now a thriving kindergartner attending ALP’s partner school at Billingsville. The ALP-TLC collaboration stands as a testament to the impact that dedicated community partnerships can have on the lives of young learners.
Hear Leilani in her own words.
Scaling Introducing the Future of Tutoring! ALP is thrilled to unveil its latest innovation— a fully interactive digital tutoring interface that will allow for limitless reach.
Streamlined Scheduling and Administration Adaptive Practices Remove Geographical Boundaries Priority of Connection Engaging the Workforce ALP is on a mission to redefine literacy intervention in Charlotte. In collaboration with Bank of America, ALP will pilot its digital interface in January 2024, blazing a trail for others to follow. This partnership has the potential to revolutionize literacy education in our community and beyond.
At the heart of ALP’s success is the unique connection between students and tutors. Over the past 10 months, ALP conducted in-depth research to ensure that our new technology preserves and enhances this connection. ALP found a technology partner that is perfectly suited to this task.
With ALP’s cutting-edge digital tutoring interface, geographical barriers fade into insignificance. Our solution eliminates the need for tutors to travel to schools, ensuring that ALP reaches students no matter where they are located. By doing so, ALP is making its programming accessible like never before.
ALP’s path to this transformative solution has been marked by invaluable learning experiences. In the pandemic’s wake, ALP quickly pivoted to virtual delivery to stay connected to our students. While these efforts were rudimentary, they laid the foundation for ALP’s current innovation.
ALP’s digital interface centralizes scheduling and program administration, making the entire process seamless and efficient. This means more time dedicated to what truly matters – educating and mentoring students.
What’s Next? The Solution is Here Investment in Innovation ALP is grateful to TowneBank and The Merancas Foundation for their initial investment in this work, which allowed ALP to embark on this incredible journey. Their faith in our vision is driving us forward.
The time for change is now. ALP’s innovative digital tutoring interface is the future of intervention. Join us in shaping a brighter tomorrow for students everywhere!
Relationships are critical to our success. Meet Lester, a volunteer we lovingly refer to as our student wrangler at our only fully virtual school.
ALP is moving forward with all aspects of its programming. By leveraging technology, we will be able to serve many more schools and neighborhoods. We are building capacity to reach all of the children who need us. We cannot do this work alone. We need our community to walk alongside us. Help us put our solution into practice and prepare our kids for the future.
Thank you ALP could not do this work without you. Augustine Society Illuminators ($50,000+) The Belk Foundation C. D. Spangler Foundation, Inc. Charlotte Wine + Food The Merancas Foundation, Inc. PGA TOUR/Presidents Cup Augustine Society Clarions ($25,000 – $49,999) Allstate Foundation The Dowd Foundation The Leon Levine Foundation Jill and Don Olmstead PWC Charitable Foundation Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Legacy Ann and Tom Temple Augustine Society Accelerators ($10,000 – $24,999) Anonymous Katie and Richard Bates Betsy and Michael Blair Odette Bonvouloir and David McCullen William Coltrane Cannon and Norma Craft Cannon Charitable Trust The Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation, Children, Youth, and Young Adults Fund United Way of Greater Charlotte Annette and Shaun Dreyer Diane and Michael Dumais Nancy and Rob Harris James Family Foundation Fred W Klein, Jr. Knight Foundation Martha & Spencer Love Foundation Wandra and George Mackie John Munce
The George W. and Ruth R. Baxter Foundation Anne and Russell Ranson III Laura and John Spencer The Stubblefield Foundation Alpha & Omega Foundation Robert Walker Tutoring Fund Gray and Geordie Walker Augustine Society Investors ($5,000 – $9,999) Anonymous Accelerate-The National Collaborative for Accelerated Learning Kathryn and Darren Ash Assistance League of Charlotte Vivian and Jim Boylan Wendy and Bob Bradford Amy and Robert Brinkley Burke-Moll Charitable Fund Mebane Charitable Foundation, Inc. Martha and Eric Eubank Kathy and Tom Ewing Hahn - Mason Air Systems, Inc. Wendy and Steve Hall Kelly and Mark Halmrast Ben and Kathy Hill Lauren and Colin Hood Kathy and Steve Horvath Ghazale and Andy Johnston Catherine Kendall Kristin LaPrise and Barbara Lom LendingTree Julie Lerner Levine Christina and Dee O’Dell Novare Capital Management Mary Ruth and Philip Payne Providence Country Club Ladies Tennis Beth Rogerson
Jan and Tommy Shealy Jennifer and Mike Smith St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Julie and Perry White
Deborah Majewski and Daniel Ward Cristina and William Warlick Robin and Steve Weaver Louise Whitley
Augustine Society Visionaries ($2,500 – $4,999) Carol Gray Adler and James Adler Missie and Greg Alcorn Allied Caster & Equipment Co. Ally Financial, Inc. Candace Armstrong Beacon Partners Betty and Roosevelt Blackwell Katherine and Tom Bunn Sally and Ward Davis Amy Levine Dawson and Alfred Dawson Dollar General Literacy Foundation Rebecca and Mike Drendel Samantha and Kelly Dunbar Katie Garvey Cindy and Curt Grantham Rusty and Tony Gray Eleanor and Rick Hahn Lyttleton and Thomas Hollowell Alison Houser SouthState Bank Maria and Nash Long Mary and Bob Long Gene and Michael Mallonee Anjali and John Markey Michele Melchior Jon Morris Katrina and Matthew Nichols Anne and Scott Perper Robinson Bradshaw Marion and Mike Shields Ashley and Joel Turner Frances and Kerry Van Voorhis Richard Viola
Augustine Society Champions ($1,000 – $2,499) Julie and Omid Ahdieh Judith and John Alexander The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Eleanor and James Barnhardt The Frontier Capital Foundation Sarah and Tim Belk Betsy and Bill Blue Debbie Blystone Mary and Charles Bowman Wendy Brennan Jean Brinkmann Jan and Jim Brittain Kate Buckfelder CAPTRUST Community Fund Marti and Tom Cato Carol Childress Mack Clark Mimi Burke and Bernard Clark Kathy Cornell Koren and Steve Cranford Helen Daly Greta and Cutter Davis Lucy and Perin DesPortes Gina Elam Minna and Mike Elliott Episcopal Church Women of Christ Church (The Good News Shop) First Presbyterian Church Janet and Steve Heffner Julie Heidrick Josephine Hicks Katie and Stuart Hicks Ellen Holliday
The Horne Company Partners, LLC Page and Martin Hull Elizabeth Johnston Kathryn and Luke Kissam Mary Lynn and Steve Larson Joan and Gene Lunman Mary and Bill Lunsford Margaret and Harrison Marshall Robin and John Maxwell Dee Dee and Bill Maxwell Ann and George Miles Nancy Miller Jenny and Stephen Neill Julie Newcomb Eve and Albert Nichols Kathleen and Thomas O’Bannon Jay Offerdahl Sally Higgins and Ray Owens Par Caterers of North Carolina, LLC Amy and Jason Powers Providence Country Club Paul Reichs Kim Rickenbaker Libby and Don Roberts Morris Rosen Lisa and Tim Saunders Mattye and Marc Silverman Sondra and Ed Smallwood Key Bank Foundation Erin and Monica Smith Patty and Don Smyth The Stone Family William Sturges Claire and John Tate The Robert B. Taylor III Foundation Allison and John Tibe The Trexler Foundation Kelly Zellars and Henry Trexler Murray and Philip Walker Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign
Holly and Jim Wood Mary and Jarrett Wyant Peter Wyckoff Builders ($500 – $999) Ann and Bob Abel Addison and Rand Ayer Michelle Bechtold Steve Bentley and David Deal Jeff Brand Sylvia and Tom Brydon Laura and Michael Burt Libby Cable Elizabeth and Saxby Chaplin Charlotte Woman’s Club Jean and Gene Cochrane Katharine and Mike Cowan JPMorgan Chase & Co. PAC Emily Daly Susan Flaherty Megan and Larry Forrest Jeannie and Robert Fuller Jenny Hutchison and Neil Giardino Karen and Steve Gosselin Mary Gotschall Robert Griffin Deidre and Clay Grubb Davis Hahn Josiah Hall Rebecca Hall Kim and Brian Heath Gary Hemric Marion and Chris Idol David Jacobson MaryLou and Ron Larson Julie and David Lavoie Tammie and Lou Lesesne Debbie and David McCarthy Beth and Daniel McGinley Ann and Bert Miano Cortney and Fritz Nauck Rebecca and Thomas Oxholm Shelby and Chip Patrick Margo and Joe Posnanski Malyn and Vince Pratt Margaret and Rusty Rainey Sherri and Hank Ralston Ann Reed Jody and Randall Roth
Lizabeth Clardy and Ken Samuelson Janet and Joe Schuch Sandra and Michael Schulte Bradley Schumacher Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church Sarah and Allen Shifflet Jo Shirley Jeanne Steele Trent Family Foundation Jennifer Troyer Amy and Mark Vitner Chuck Wilson Mark Wilson Women’s Impact Fund Emily Woodrow Advocates ($250 – $499) Marc Atwood Mary Lou Babb Viviane Bechtler-Smith and Bill Smith Emerson Bell Kristen Bernier Natasha Brasch Cathy and Tucker Brown Cynthia and Peter Buck A.T. Castillo Charities Aid Foundation America Leslie and John Culbertson Judy and Michael Degernes Christopher Drake Duke Energy The Duke Endowment Anne Dundorf Bonnie Fleming John Foard Stephanie Ganey Beth Geiger Debbie George Cindy and Walter Goldsmith The Graham Family Foundation Meredith and B. Kelly Graves Patricia and Frederic Gresset Patty Gruce Norman Herland Kate Hill Kay and George Hodges Patricia Massey Hoke and John Hoke Jane Anne and Dick Houser Rick Hudson
Genie and Reuben Hufham Joanie and John Hutson Kelly and John Keeling Susan Dosier and Des Keller Joan Killian Liz and Fred Lassiter Chris Martin Ruth Mayer and William Bacon Dorothy McGavran Ann and Bert Miano Sara Moreau Ashleigh Morgan Robert Murphy Gerard Nigro Leslie Perlik Jean and Len Pinkley Martha Rick Marsden Sale Ashley Sofsian Susan Spencer-Smith and Bryan Smith Ambika and Jeff Spinazzola Debbie Tankle Leslie and Barry Teague Alice and Brent Torstrick Pat and Bill Williamson Danae Woodward Velva Woollen Bookworms ($1 – $249) Anonymous Kim and Robert Adden Rebecca Fant and John Alday Holly Alexander Kelly and Russell Algood Amazon Smile William Armstrong Erin Ashendorf Alice Aurilio Pam and John Austin Richard Baker Kathleen Bambrick Meier Carol and Jim Bartos Kary and Fred Beaman Caren Bechtold Holly and Mark Becker Jenny Bertelsen Shannon Blair Roberta and Ed Bograd
Laurie Bond Anne Bowman Grey Brownlow Barbara and Richard Buckingham Katie Caldwell Ellen and Kevin Carlisle Kim Carter Rebecca and David Cherry Michelle and James Chester Karen Claffey Nancy and Charles Conner Sue Coonen Catherine Covington-East Shirley Cress Dudley Cathy Croy Dee Dee and Ed Dalrymple Anne Davant Elizabeth and Joe Davant Debra Dawson Delta Kappa Gamma Stowe Demarest Beth and Samuel deTuro Sharon and John Dolan Jen and Jim Drizos Hope Drummond Nancy and Thomas Duncan Sheila and Paul Dworkin Charlie Elberson Susan Elmore Allison Elrod Jean Elwood Cheryl Gallan and Craig Fairbrother Rebeca Fernandez Nancy Fish Lara Fleming Fannie Flono Colleen Floyd Kathy Foushee Theresa Foust Laura and J.Q. Freeman Janice McMillian Friday Lisa Friedman Harriet Gilman Julia and Gary Gloster Madeline and Tony Glover Leila Goodwin Patricia Gottehrer Myron Gray Gail and Tim Gray Pamela Gray
Joy Groves Katherine Haigh Rosalie and Herb Hall Evelyn and Hugh Hall Beth Handford Barbara and Charles Haughey Linda and Bill Hefner Jim and Patty Henderlite Joan Hileman Ann and Bill Hinson Jere Hollmeyer Laurie Hoots Lauren Hurd Tammy Jackson David Johnson Martha Johnson Jennifer and Greg Jones Gabi Kelly Ann Kempka Laura and Kurt Kenkel Jason Kerr Bev King Brenda Kirkpatrick Jessica Klasinski Christy and Dean Kluesner Christopher Lakin Teresa Lehmann Jane Lesko Natalie Lewis Elaine Long Michelle Lovan Amber and Phil Lynch Margo MacKenzie Karen MacKenzie Billie Maitland Maria Luisa Manley Patricia Martin Camilla Mazzotta Joanne McAndrews Mindy McBrayer Daniel McDonough Jan and Thomas McGuire Freda McKenzie Jocelyn and Patrick McLaughlin Mecklenburg Chapter NS DAR Carolyn Miller Brakeman’s Coffee & Supply LLC Karen Nicholson Patrice Northrup Beth Osowski
Marcelle and Allan Oxman Tonja Padgett Cathy and Phillip Paige Elizabeth and Michael Pawlyk Frances and Charles Payet Laura Peterson Kay Porter Poppy and Doug Pritchett Becky and Lester Ranson Anne and Russell Ranson, Jr Carolyn Raper Janis and William Rikard John Roddey Johanna Roziewski Kathy Rust Trotter Krista Scavone Annette Semprit Amanda Sherlip Nancy and Jimmy Smith Jennifer and Gregory Smith Helen and Stan Spence Robin Greene Sperling Danna Tate John Temple Kathy Thomas Kathy Thompson Jen Tsonas Sateesh Varanasi Judy and Richard Vinroot Sylvia Walker Kristy Ward Eric Watson Lynn Watson Susan Watterworth Steve White Jennie Wiercisiewski Joe and Sally Williamson Tasha Wilson Sandra Witherspoon Tracy and Kevin Wittman Anne and Christopher Woolley Jerri Workman Amy and Julian Wright Gregory Wyant Ben Wyant Elizabeth and Garrett Wyckoff Michelle Yin Anne Zahlan Margaret *Bank Zeller of America Leader on Loan
ALP Tribute ALP Staff Candace Armstrong Betty Blackwell Jim Boylan Gail Bunn Mr. and Mrs. Wayland H. Cato, Jr. Bernard Clark Anne Davant Judy Degernes Matthew Demetriades Rebecca Drendel Maria Fenwick Laura Freeman Judy Goldman Rusty and Tony Gray Kathleen and Brian Griffin Adele Hagood Eleanor Hahn Rosalie and Herb Hall Lauren Hood Alison Houser Teka and David Hyatt Beverly King Jessica Klasinski Kristin LaPrise Steve Larson Anjali Markey Anne Mennona Michelle Miller Wendy Munce Jill and Don Olmstead Shelby Patrick Rama Road Elementary Tutors Anne Ranson Laurie Reid David Robb Mary Jo Roth Lisa and Tim Saunders Mary Kay Scarborough Kristin Stinson Ann and Tom Temple Robert Walker and the Robert Walker Tutoring Fund Charlie Wickham Mary and Jarret Wyant
2022–23 Financials Total Revenue $1,464,109 Foundation $532,084 / 37.3%
Contributions & Grants $1,428,287
Individual $571,519 / 40.0% Civic $160,126 / 11.2% Corporate $153,308 / 10.7% Faith $11,250 / 0.7%
Program $1,074,417 / 74.5%
Total Expenses $1,443,101
Fundraising $241,487 / 16.7% Management & General $127,197 / 8.8%
Join the match
ALP Board of Directors Michael E. Blair, Board Chair CAPTRUST Financial Advisors, Principal Kristin LaPrise, Governance Chair Wells Fargo, Managing Director, Affluent Consumer Strategy Leader, retired Maria W. Long, Secretary Wingate University – Porter B. Byrum School of Business, Adjunct Faculty Instructor
The ALP Board will match any new or increased donation made by December 31, 2023 up to $85,000.
Leave a lasting legacy with planned giving. Help secure ALP’s future by designating us in your will or retirement account. For more information, contact Jessica Klasinski at 704-941-4449 or jklasinski@alpcharlotte.org .
Michele Melchior, Treasurer Grant Thornton LLP, Director – Not-for-profit Tax Don E. Olmstead, Immediate Past Chair, Novare Capital Management, Managing Director Tom Temple, Development Chair Fidus Partners, Managing Director
Jim Boylan ALP Tutor, Retired Human Resources Executive and Attorney Rebecca Drendel Community Volunteer Lauren Hood Bank of America, Communications Executive Rick Hudson ALP Tutor, Retired JLL, SVP, Global Product Data Support Dorothy McGavran ALP Tutor, Retired Queens University of Charlotte Professor Steve Larson ALP Tutor, Retired Actuary Julie Warner Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Retired Special Education Administrator
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