Adult Learning Center of Strafford County

About Us

1968 High school counselor Ev Graves organizes Dover's first Adult Basic Education classes at Dover High School (a product of the 1966 federal Adult Education Act).

1969 Recognizing a need for more flexible classes, Graves asks Irene Duffy to start a daytime program meeting at First Parish Church. Childcare is provided for participants' children.

1970 Helen Phipps is appointed director. Evening pprogram moves to Dover Junior High.

1971 The Dover daytime program is honored with an award from the United States Secretary of Education as the most innovative program in Region I (New England and New York).

1972 Dover Adult Learning Center is incorporated as a private non-profit organization. Teen program started for many youth who have been attending ABE classes.

1974 The first industrial GED class meets onm-site at Davidson Rubber Company.

1977 The Dover School Department appoints Helen Phipps Community Education Director, responsible for enrichment classes and for a comprehensive community education program as well as for Adult Basic Education. She initiates adult high school diploma and vocational education classes.

1978 Dover's first adult high school diplomas are granted. Fall of 1978 - Dover Adult Learning Center has a home, the former Advent Christian Church on Atkinson Street.

1980 The first Certified Nursing Assistant classes are added to the vocational training program. Debbie Tasker appointed as Executive Director.

1981 Displaced Homemaker program initiated, support groups and job search skill classes.

1982 First GED class at Strafford County Jail.  Server local funding cuts secretary and then the teen program.

1983 Successful find-raising drive keeps the Center open.Dover now has the state's largest English as a Second Language program.

1984 Board of Directors sells the former parish house, committing the proceeds to investments to support operating expenses. The Adult Tutorial Program moves to DALC, providing volunteer tutors for Adult Basic Education students who cannot attend classes.

1985 The Center partners with the DHS Vocational Center to offer customized adult job training.  Adult Tutorial Program expends so serve all of Strafford County.

1986 The Center develops a Teen Access program for pregnant and parent teens.  It becomes a successful pilot project for the NH Division of Employment Security.

1987 Vocational Education Support Program for out-of-school youth launched.

1988 The DALC A.B.E. program receives recognition form the U.S. Secretary of Education as the outstanding program in Region One and one of six outstanding programs in the nation, commends the Center for "Excellence in Adult Education"

1989 First In Our Own Words published; the Center becomes an official GED testing center.

1990 New skills classes for JOBS clients referred by Human Services; GED classes on-site at Davidson Manufacturing; HIV awareness offered; enrollment up 25%.

1994 DALC receives Strafford County general support funding for the first time; ABE begins in Rochester;  246 G.E.D. and adult high school graduates (largest secondary graduating class in county). DALC becomes Dover Adult Learning Center, Serving Strafford County.

1995 Basic Skills class begin in Milton & Farmington; funding received for class at Mineral/Whittier Park in Dover Housing Authority community center.

1996 Dover receives an Even Start family literacy grant with the Center as the adult education partner.  The Center joins the Dover Chamber of Commerce.

1997 25th Anniversary! Staff completes Real Life curriculum study with NH Charitable Foundation grant. Board completes 5-year strategic plan.

1998 Center celebrates 25 years with an open house and the creation of an endowment of the Helen Phipps/Debbie Tasker scholarships. The Dover Adult Basic Education Program was selected as one of 25 test sites in the nation for Equipped for the Future (EFF) standards.

1999 Outreach counselor added for off site basic skills class. Technology plan developed. ABE program a finalist for a national award from Secretary of Education.

2000 Debbie Tasker completes 20 years of leadership as DALC director. Jim Verschueren appointed Executive Director. Nellie May Foundation grant to help students transition to college.  ABE develops health curriculum.

2001 335 GED graduates set new record. DALC computer lab is created with funding from Verizon and first on-site computer classes are held. Extensive building renovations with Dover CDBG funds and help from TyCom, Inc.

2002 30th Anniversary celebrations include a well-attended open house, an American Cancer Society Relay Walk for Life Team, a mini-golf tournament, a series of student profiles in Foster's, a new "Friends of the Center" membership organization, and anAdopt-a-Spot in Dover. Workforce Development initiative creates firsts set of employer on-site trainings and classes.

2003 Lower level of 61 Locust St. is extensively remodeled with CDBG funding; Rochester programs move into one location at 57 Wakefield Street. State of NH authorizes use of Trade Name "Adult Learning Center of Strafford County" in addition to Dover Adult Learning Center.

2004 ABE classes and collaborative Explore! program launch in Farmington. Yard sale FUNdraiser begins. McConnell Center plan to move Center in total endorsed by city council.

2005 First eBay FUNdraiser event. Center is a founding sponsor of Rotary Club dancing bears.

2006 Board of Directors launches Come Help Us Grow to raise $100,000. Moved Rochester site to First Congregational (August); McConnell move completed (Dec.).

2007 First programs in the McConnell Comunity Center (January). New collaborations with other McConnell tenants.

2008 Board adopts Strategic Plan. First Poker Room at Seabrook. Senior Counselor Donna McAdams retires after 30+ years.

2009 Deanna Strand appointed Executive Director. Come Help Us Grow! reaches $97,000+,   seven rooms named for generous donors: TD Charitable Foundation, Deborah Shelton and Mark Thomas, Kathryn Parks Forbes, Jack and Judy Mettee, Joe B. Parks, The Pentair Foundation, The VBerschueren Family.

2010 Come Help Us Grow! reaches goal of $100,000.