PAVE invited the community to a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Tyler Junior College West Campus/Regional Training and Development Complex Tuesday afternoon. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

After 34 years of dedicated service to East Texas, the Literacy Council of Tyler (LCOT) has rebranded itself as PAVE East Texas (Pathways for Adults Via Education).

The organization said this change reflects a renewed focus on clarity and community engagement, addressing misconceptions about its previous name.

“We found that most of our students didn’t really know what our name meant,” PAVE Executive Director Whitney Patterson said. “Most of the community didn’t know what we did and our name didn’t really reflect what we all do.”

To mark the milestone, the nonprofit hosted a community ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house event at the Tyler Junior College West Campus/Regional Training and Development Complex, where PAVE’s administrative offices are located and many classes are held. The event was attended by about 100 people, including Tyler Mayor Don Warren, who read a proclamation.

PAVE provides free literacy services to adults facing challenges in reading, writing, basic math, and English language skills. Their comprehensive range of services includes personalized one-on-one tutoring, small group classes, and dedicated support for individuals pursuing their GED (General Educational Development) or aiming to boost their employability through improved literacy skills. PAVE also provides English Language Services instruction and computer literacy training, catering to diverse educational needs within the community.

In addition to GED, literacy and language services programs, PAVE offers career pathways programs so students can earn certifications in medical, technical, mechanical and professional fields.

The rebrand has been a long time coming, Patterson said.

“We started the conversation about two years ago in strategic planning,” Patterson said. “It has been a long, thought-out process … with a lot of research.”

The nonprofit’s marketing committee, comprised of board members and community members, facilitated market research, community surveys, engaged field experts and more to determine how the community perceived the original brand and name. An expert study also showed a lack of overall awareness in the full scope of services provided by the organization and which areas of the region it served. The committee, chaired by Smittee Root, and board of directors came to the conclusion a rebrand was necessary to continue current growth while propelling the organization into the future.

Established in 1990 as the Literacy Council of Tyler, PAVE East Texas began humbly with 30 students and has grown significantly, now serving approximately 2,100 adult learners annually with the support of over 130 volunteers. Spanning six counties — Smith, Cherokee, Anderson, Henderson, Van Zandt, and Rains — PAVE East Texas partners closely with Tyler Junior College and other entities to expand access to crucial educational and literacy services.

“We have expanded … way beyond just Tyler,” Patterson said. “So, there’s a lot of different reasons (for the rebrand). We just hope to reach more people.”

Many of the program’s students were on hand at Tuesday’s ribbon cutting to talk to the community about their experiences, including Lorenzo Perez, who emphasized the profound impact PAVE East Texas has had on his life.

“There were definitely times where I would get a little discouraged and wanted to give up, but thanks to the staff here, they helped me get through and reach my goal,” he said. “They provide amazing support … they provide more than what an average program or school would probably do. They really go beyond for the students here.”

Perez earned his GED in February and continues to rely on PAVE for support with his college coursework, whether he requires access to a computer lab or assistance with studying.

“I thought it was too late to get my diploma … but they helped me,” he said. “If there’s that bit of hope for me, there could be for anybody.”

Next, Perez plans to pursue welding through PAVE’s career pathways.

For sisters Chyanne McDowell and Caylin Norris, enrolling in PAVE East Texas’ GED program was a transformative decision.

“I think it’s amazing … I would not be going to college or anything without it,” McDowell said. “I never had the opportunity to go to high school … I was homeschooled and unfortunately it just did not work out.”

Norris echoed similar sentiments, highlighting challenges the pair faced before finding PAVE East Texas.

“There’s a lot of people like us who wouldn’t have gotten their GED without (PAVE),” Norris said. “I tried doing it by myself online, even tried to go through other programs and just couldn’t do it. It was either because of lack of self-motivation or something fell through.”

The organization plays a crucial role in empowering adults to achieve their educational and personal goals by addressing fundamental literacy challenges, and the students are appreciative of encouragement provided by PAVE’s staff and volunteers.

“They will not let you quit,” Norris said. “They really care here … and have so much faith in you.”

Today, PAVE East Texas operates across 15 locations, continuing to provide accessible education to all adults striving to enhance their careers and lives. The organization currently serves students from 31 different countries. To learn more about their programs or support their mission, visit PAVEetx.org, call 903-533-0330 or email info@PAVEetx.org.