PBALC Communications and Development VISTA

The Permian Basin Adult Literacy Center (PBALC) focuses on enhancing literacy among adults to foster economic opportunity and reduce generational poverty in Midland and Odessa, TX. With a mission to develop adult literacy skills for improved livelihoods and community impact, PBALC serves immigrants, refugees, and low-literacy adults, aiming to break the cycle of poverty linked to underemployment due to limited literacy and English proficiency. The PBALC employs individual tutoring, group classes, and digital platforms, addressing the critical need for literacy in a technology-driven society. The AmeriCorps VISTA member will play an important role in expanding PBALC's reach and effectiveness. By developing fundraising and communications strategies, the VISTA will enhance PBALC's visibility and support, facilitating increased program capacity and service expansion. This contribution is needed for empowering more adults with literacy skills, thereby directly impacting economic opportunities and community well-being in the Permian Basin area. PBALC is a virtual service site, the VISTA member will teleserve 5 days a week and live within the commuting distance of the Midland/Odessa or Lubbock or Amarillo community.

The Communications and Development VISTA member will develop fundraising and marketing infrastructures to increase visibility and support for the Permian Basin Adult Literacy Center (PBALC) so PBALC can expand its capacity to serve more underemployed and unemployed adults in achieving literacy skills. They will create and implement marketing plans and materials, manage social media strategies, enhance the website for engagement, and prepare resources for community outreach. Additionally, they will develop a comprehensive fundraising strategy, identifying grant opportunities, and creating grant applications. The VISTA will also develop communication tools to showcase the organization's impact, facilitating new partnerships and funding avenues. Through these efforts, the VISTA aims to expand PBALC's capacity to serve underemployed and employed adults, improving their literacy skills and economic opportunities.