POWERGRAMS

38 result, would need more people working here to fill those needs," says Burchart. The Alabama Power Foundation and other donors supported the capital campaign and revitalization. "This city was amazing. Our longtime donors, friends, corporations, foundations – they all stepped up," Burchart said. Meanwhile, the learners didn't miss a beat. "We moved our programs to the library, coffee shops, office buildings all across Birmingham," said Adrienne Marshall, director of adult learning. In January 2015, a mere five months after the fire, The Literacy Council moved back into its restored office space. "There was a lot of pride in this building'" Marshall said. "For our learners, watching them walk through that door again – this was their school and this is home for anyone who is connected to The Literacy Council. They were so excited that day." The Literacy Council was able to double its footprint by rearranging the building that now has libraries, meeting rooms, tutoring areas and open space that is more conducive to adult learning. "It makes a difference to be in an environment that is warm and welcoming, where people can see other people like themselves tackling the same things. It's a community atmosphere and it's laid out for learning," Burchart said. Six staff members have joined The Literacy Council since the fire to carry out the increased programming, including new high school equivalency classes. "Our director of initiatives wanted to partner with Jefferson State Community College for a long time in this effort," Burchart said. "After the fire, we were able to create a separate classroom that enables us to host GED classes, and we have had several graduates since the program launched." More classes have been added based on the success. The renovated building features a lending library. People donate and borrow books daily. Tutor stations line the walls in addition to tables in open spaces, letting tutors and learners customize their learning experience. "Think about the schooling experiences of our learners and where they may have been regulated and how they might have been passed along. It is very important for us to create a positive learning environment for them because their previous school experiences might not have been that," Marshall said. The primary program of The Literacy Council remains drop-in tutoring on weekdays and two nights to accommodate working learners. An adult library is now a separate quiet-room with learning resources; the previous space was limited to two bookshelves. "This building and the convenience of it is a strong reason why people keep coming back, in addition to the staff, tutors and the resources," Burchart said. Burchart and Marshall agree that the impact of their work is visible in the learners excelling across Birmingham. "You can physically see a difference in them. When learners first come to us, some are nervous, hunched down and don't make eye contact. But it can be as early as a month after and they are high-fiving us as they walk in the door," Burchart said. "What they gain here are life skills. They are now empowered; it's about being independent and contributing." And they can see a connection with Birmingham's revitalization. "Watching Birmingham grow, folks feel like they are contributing because they are working in the community," Marshall said. "They may be working because now they can read and go get that job. Or maybe they are volunteering. We have people here who have started volunteering, and that's not where they were when they came to us." "Literacy is the foundation on which all life skills are built," Burchart said. "It affects everything in your life. Together, we are helping families become stronger and that makes a stronger community." The Literacy Council staff is quick to thank those who have helped them along the way. "It seems as though Alabama Power and The Literacy Council have been connected from the start," Burchart said. "Board members, board leadership – from Elmer Harris to Bobbie Knight to Hallie Bradley. There is a consistent presence and support from Alabama Power." As The Literacy Council continues to serve Birmingham, the employees are ever mindful of how far they have come from that fateful night three years ago. "This is the thing. We hate that the fire happened. But it allowed us to build something – it's the phoenix from the flames," Burchart said. To learn more about The Literacy Council of Central Alabama, visit www.alliteracycouncil.wordpress.com. thriving after setback "Literacy is the foundation on which all life skills are built." By Allison Westlake PHOTOS BY COLIN PETERSON

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