DMACC Adult Literacy Center to Celebrate 50 Years of Changing Lives at Anniversary Gala

Event Details

What: DMACC Adult Literacy Center 50th Anniversary Gala

When: Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026

6 p.m. Social Hour & Refreshments

6:45 p.m. Anniversary Program

Where: DMACC Urban Campus (1100 7th Street, Des Moines) Building 1

Who: Current and former students, volunteer literacy coaches, supporters, donors, community members and partners connected to the Adult Literacy Center over the past 50 years.

DES MOINES, Iowa - The DMACC Adult Literacy Center (ALC) will celebrate five decades of empowering adult learners during its 50th Anniversary Gala on Thursday, Sept. 10, at DMACC Urban Campus in Des Moines.

The event will bring together current and former students, volunteer literacy coaches, community supporters, donors and partners who have played a role in the Center's remarkable 50-year history. The evening begins with a social hour and refreshments at 6 p.m., followed by a program at 6:45 p.m. RSVPs are welcome.

Founded in 1976 in partnership with Drake University, the Adult Literacy Center has spent half a century helping adults overcome literacy barriers through free, one-on-one instruction and support. Since returning to DMACC in 2018, the Center has served more than 1,000 adult learners with the help of more than 300 volunteer literacy coaches, providing life-changing opportunities ranging from earning GEDs and driver's licenses to advancing careers and achieving U.S. citizenship.

The anniversary celebration will recognize the thousands of learners, volunteers and advocates whose dedication has sustained the Center across five decades.

Earlier this year, DMACC shared the story of the How the DMACC Adult Literacy Center Has Spent 50 Years Quietly Changing Lives, highlighting the experiences of adult learners, the program's history and the volunteers who continue to make literacy education accessible to Central Iowans.

"Fifty years is an opportunity to celebrate not only the Center's history, but also the courage of the adults who have walked through our doors seeking a better future," said Anne Murr, Adult Literacy Center coordinator. "Every learner's success story is a reminder of why this work matters."

All Adult Literacy Center services are provided free of charge to participants through volunteer support, grants, donations and community partnerships.

For questions about the Adult Literacy Center 50^th Anniversary Gala, email Anne Murr or call 515-248-7524.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

515-675-3275