Betty Dorsey (above) earned her GED through DCLC in 2014. Now she’s a business owner and author who is sharing her passion for all things clean! Recently Betty discussed her new book Ready, Set, Go! Action Plan To A Clutter Free and Healthy Home Environment in an online event held by the Upper Chichester Library.

During the session, Betty shared tips for cleaning and decluttering using nontoxic products—information she knows firsthand as the owner of AGD Manna Cleaning Services. Betty wrote the book in a unique collaboration with the Chester Housing Authority (CHA). Betty teaches cleaning classes to CHA residents, and proceeds from the book help fund a variety of CHA support services. Says Betty of her multiple successes, “If you have an ideal in life, you’re never too old, too young, or too anything to accomplish it!”

DCLC’s annual Champions of Adult Literacy fundraiser honors community members who champion literacy and who support DCLC’s efforts to provide free services to adults who are improving their basic skills, preparing for their GED, or learning English as a Second Language (ESL) so they can thrive in the workplace and community.

Educating adults creates stronger communities. Higher education levels are correlated with lower rates of chronic diseases like diabetes and asthma. A mother’s education level is the highest determinate of a child’s academic success.[i] Better-educated parents raise better educated, more successful, children, who are less likely to end up in poverty or prison. Inmate participation in adult education reduces recidivism by 30%.[ii] From the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE). Click here for sources and more information.