BUILDING FOUNDATIONS
A Luncheon to Build Stronger Communities through Functional Literacy
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When: Thursday, March 25, 2027 | 11:30AM
Where: James River Country Club, 1500 Country Club Rd, Newport News, VA 23606
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Presented by ​
Each year, Literacy for Life serves nearly 1,000 adults across the Virginia Peninsula, helping learners build skills, achieve life-changing goals, and create stronger futures for themselves and their families. Through individualized instruction and support, adults strengthen their reading and English skills, earn high school diplomas and credentials, prepare for employment, and pursue new opportunities.
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Join business, civic, and community leaders from across Newport News and Hampton for the inaugural Building Foundations luncheon, an event in support of Literacy for Life and the adults we serve. Guests will also have the opportunity to make a direct impact through a special paddle raise.
Who We Serve
Meet Bursare
Busare spent the first 20 years of his life in refugee camps before resettling in the United States. As the oldest child in his family, he quickly took on responsibility— working long hours at multiple jobs to help support his siblings. Determined to build a better future, Busare enrolled at Literacy for Life. He was matched with a volunteer tutor, Heidi, who worked around his schedule to strengthen his reading, writing, and English skills. With her support, he prepared for and passed the U.S. citizenship exam and is now a proud U.S. citizen. Busare also worked with Literacy for Life’s Career Coach to explore career options. With her guidance, he enrolled in Virginia Technical Academy to train as an electrician and accessed funding to make it possible. After successfully completing the program, Busare is now employed as a fully trained electrician with a local company.
In February 2023, Antoinette watched as the historic Bray School was moved through Colonial Williamsburg. For Antoinette, whose ancestors attended the school founded in 1760 to educate free and enslaved Black children, the moment was deeply personal—a reminder of the power of education across generations. As a teenager, Antoinette struggled in school and left in ninth grade. Years later, she came to Literacy for Life, where she was matched with volunteer tutor Bonnie. Over three years, they worked together to strengthen Antoinette’s reading, writing, and math skills. While working full time and caring for her elderly parents, Antoinette
persevered. In May, she earned her high school diploma. “It took three years, and there were times when I almost gave up,” she says. “But I wanted to keep showing up for myself.” Today, Antoinette is working with Literacy for Life’s Career Coach to explore new opportunities and plan her next chapter.
Meet Antoinette
Meet Vlad and Kesinia
When Vlad and Kesinia left Russia in 2022, they came to the United States seeking safety, opportunity, and a place to rebuild their lives. Despite strong professional backgrounds, they needed stronger English communication skills to resume their careers. At Literacy for Life, one-on-one tutoring helped them build confidence, strengthen their English, and navigate their new community. Vlad’s tutor, Bryce, helped him understand American culture and communicate more confidently, while Kesinia’s tutor, Jean, helped prepare her for the Occupational English Test required for international physicians. Today, Kesinia is completing a Family Medicine residency at Riverside Doctors’ Hospital. Vlad graduated as valedictorian of the Newport News Fire Department academy and now serves as a firefighter while pursuing paramedic training. Four years after arriving, they have built a new life for their family. “We are blessed to have our careers, our home, and our children attending American schools,” Vlad says. “Our lives are linked to this country now.
BECOME A SPONSOR
We envision a world where every person has the skills and resources they need to thrive, and we need your support now more than ever. Your sponsorship and support of the Literacy for Life Building Foundations Luncheon directly equips adult learners with the functional literacy skills they need to succeed as employees, parents, and engaged community members — and it puts your business in front of a highly engaged, values-driven audience.