Preds SuperGrant is Transformational for Nashville Adult Literacy Council

Most would take reading this story for granted, something that was learned long ago as a skill necessary for everyday life.
For others in Nashville, however, moving from word to word across the page just isn't reality. But many in that situation want to change their trajectory, and there's an organization that can help.
For almost four decades, the Nashville Adult Literacy Council has been teaching reading, writing and English-speaking skills to adults. Now, with the help of the Preds, that work will continue like never before.

The Nashville Predators Foundation empowered by SmileDirectClub, and SmileDirectClub jointly announced Monday that the Nashville Adult Literacy Council had been named the recipient of a SuperGrant totaling $70,000. The SuperGrant will help fund the NALC's virtual tutor program, program licenses and the ability to hire a new staff member to help run the program - and the benefit will be felt for decades more to come.
"When I look at the purpose around the Nashville Predators Foundation and SmileDirectClub and what they're trying to do in empowering people through life transitions, I was like, 'That's exactly what this Foundation is doing for us,'" NALC CEO Kim Karesh said Monday night at Bridgestone Arena. "We've gone through so many transitions over the course of the past two years because of the pandemic, and because of this grant, we're going to be able to bring back some of our more personalized tutoring in a virtual format, which just sets us up for more success in the future. So, this grant is empowering our transition into a new day for NALC, and we couldn't be more excited to be here."
Karesh, who moved to Nashville in 1998 - the same year the Preds first hit the ice - has seen the impact of the Predators Foundation since Day One. Specifically, the partnership between the Foundation and the NALC has been strong for many years, and like so many throughout the pandemic, the need for support was greater than ever before.
Days were tough on everyone in all walks of life, and Karesh says there were moments over the past 18 months when she wondered if it was all still worth it. But then she thought of those who rely on the NALC for a better life, and she realized she had her answer all along.

"We've worked with adults who just found out that they were about to become parents, and so they set a goal that they want to be able to read books to their newborn child, and that's the motivation that brings them in. So, whatever that transition is, literacy is what's empowering them for wherever they want to go next," Karesh said. It's goosebumps when they reach that goal]. I describe it as like an effervescence. It fills you up to see people in achieving what they set out to achieve, and it's inspiring. And frankly, most of the stories I hear, I kind of think in my head, 'Wow, I would not blame you if you'd given up,' but they don't. They find another gear and they find a way to just keep learning. And what we learned from that is how to improve our own lives, and the key is you have to keep learning."
Those lessons will continue with the help of the SuperGrant, and for Karesh and the NALC, their mission has been given life from the Preds Foundation.
Like so many others over the years, Karesh has realized the Preds are so much more than a hockey team. And at this time of the year, there are so many reasons to give thanks.
"I've seen the city change so much [since 1998], but we're still all one community," Karesh said. "Seeing what the Nashville Predators Foundation and SmileDirectClub are doing now to make sure that they are being good community partners so that they're staying engaged, that's what we need in this world. We need a place for us to connect and come together and share something around a shared interest like a hockey game. That's a lot of fun, and that's a way for communities to come together."
The NALC has earned eight national awards and two regional awards for outstanding program, staff dedication and student achievement. Since its founding, the organization has also offered citizenship classes, specialized classes pertaining to workplace literacy, GED classes, English-skills for adult immigrants and more. Inquiries about volunteer opportunities can be sent to [email protected], and donations of any dollar amount can be made at [NashvilleLiteracy.org.
For additional information, fans can visit the Nashville Adult Literacy Council website, follow @PredsFoundation or @SmileDirectClub on social media or click here for details regarding the SuperGrant program.