If knowledge is power, then one learning center in Lakewood is in the business of making superheroes.
The Learning Source Center for Adults and Families, located at 455 S. Pierce St., works with more than 2,500 individuals yearly who want to better their education.
Susan Lythgoe is the executive director of the center and said that the facility’s theme has been simple — people.
“We want to provide education to adults and families who may have trouble with the English language or just do not have as good of education as they would like,” Lythgoe said.
The hurdle to better learn the language is just one factor the center aids people in overcoming.
“Children do not come with an instruction manual,” Lythgoe said, while explaining that people need to learn how to best teach their children as well as themselves so everyone learns at the best possible capacity.
The center is a combination of Federal funding and participant fees, but money is not the most important part of the overall business.
“Our Federal funding has been cut by 10 percent and Colorado is the only state to have never funded adult education,” Lythgoe said.
Because of this, individuals who use the center to study for their General Educational Development “GED” tests are charged from $20 to $60 depending on the season.
“We have never turned anyone away though. We will find a way to work with them if money is a concern,” she said.
Throughout the state the cost for taking the GED tests is anywhere from $90 to $120, and Lythgoe said that’s a lot of money for families with the economy in the current shapes it’s in.
“To take the test here it is $45, plus the fees if the person chooses to study and get aid here for the tests as well,” she said.
There are 13 centers throughout the metro area, which are constantly enrolling high numbers of students, Lythgoe said.
Andrea Martinez attended the center in 1985 when it was located at West 1st Aveune and Knox Court to obtain her GED and her life has never been the same.
“I would not be where I am at now if it were not for the center,” said Martinez, who is now the program coordinator for the learning source center site.
The biggest difference made is for individuals who are trying to learn the English language and who might not be able to under other circumstances, she said.
“They can talk to their children’s teachers and make their own doctors appointments. The kids usually learn the language first and now the parents don’t have to rely on them for everyday encounters,” Martinez said.
The whole program truly betters people and their families, she said.
Learning center
The Learning Source Center for Adults and Families is located at 455 S. Pierce St. near the Bel Mar center. Tutoring and supplies are offered for those who wish to prepare for the GED tests or English as a second language.