About Us

Who & What: Vickery Meadow Learning Center was founded in 1997 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization by the members of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church to address the critical need for English literacy classes for non-English-speaking adults in the Vickery Meadow area of Dallas, an extremely high-density, low income neighborhood bounded by Royal Lane, Central Expressway, Northwest Highway and Abrams/Skillman. Approximately 36,000 people live in this 2.68 square mile area, most of whom are immigrants and refugees.

Neighborhood response to this effort was strong and immediate. The first classes enrolled 85 adult students and no children. A small group of enthusiastic volunteers taught the classes in various neighborhood locations.

Acquiring our own property in 1999 allowed us freedom and flexibility to offer more classes at more times and provide childcare for the daytime students.  With the property expansion in 2002, we were able to offer even more classes and developed the Early Childhood Education Program.   Demand for classes continues to soar, as VMLC is looking to the future for further expansion.

Today, VMLC provides English literacy, Pre-GED, GED, EL Civics and Citizenship classes at a variety of times on multiple levels to over 550 adult students a year. The center also provides early childhood education to 150 of the young children of the daytime students each year.   Providing literacy instruction to parents and their young children creates a valuable synergy, which enhances learning for the entire family.   Additionally, about 150 compassionate and dedicated volunteers, who provide respect, support and encouragement to the students, teach all adult classes, work in the computer lab, assist in the office and support the children’s program

Our History Timeline :

Demographics of Our Students:  VMLC serves the Vickery Meadow neighborhood located in Dallas, TX in the 75231 zip code.  This low-income neighborhood is only 2.68 square miles but has a population of approximately 36,000 residents, most of whom are immigrants and refugees.

How We Help:  VMLC understands the difficulty many non-native English speakers have in finding the time, transportation, money or childcare they need in order to attend most English language classes in the Dallas area.

Our program removes barriers to learning English by offering:

1. Classes in a variety of proficiency levels, at a variety of times, FREE of charge
2. A location in a neighborhood of great need where our adult and child students live
3. A FREE Early Childhood Education Program for the young children of our adult daytime students

Today, we teach English language skills to 550 adult students and 150 preschool-aged children in the course of a year.  The ability to continue increasing our services to the community is attributed to the vision and dedication of our Board of Directors and our incredible volunteers, who are the heart and soul of the Learning Center.   Volunteers teach all of our adult classes and thereby touch our students' lives on a daily basis.   Currently, we have more than 150 weekly volunteers.