Lynchburg’s Legacy Education Center receives financial support from Liberty University

A recent donation from Liberty University is helping 100 students in Lynchburg, Va., discover a pathway to gainful career employment through the Legacy Education Center.

Liberty has donated $50,000 to Legacy Education Center to help fund its workforce development program, led by professional educators to promote economic empowerment in the local community. The center provides necessary life skills education, academic support, and career development training and planning. The goal is to turn common obstacles into unique opportunities.

Located on Rivermont Avenue, the Legacy Education Center first began its organizational meetings in 2015 in an attempt to tackle the tough challenges in workforce development and barriers to employment.

Students there can take fully accredited classes through Central Virginia Community College and Liberty while obtaining an associate’s degree. Each student enrolls in 12 hours (four classes) per term, and can earn their accredited associate’s degree in 21 months.

“Liberty University cares for its neighbors in the City of Lynchburg,” said Liberty President Jerry Prevo. “I believe meaningful work is a true blessing from the Lord that benefits individuals, families, and communities at-large. This program helps residents by giving them the necessary skill sets and support they need to succeed.”

“It truly speaks volumes to our community that President Prevo recognized the need to unlock the treasures and support so many of our young people,” said Shirley Hunter-Connor, Director of Student Services for the Legacy Education Center. “Not only did he provide funding, but he also stepped right into the area of need to personally reach out to the students and staff. This is a strong message that will be well received throughout the city.”

“With Dr. Prevo’s support, Legacy Education Center will tackle, in greater depth, the cycle of poverty and help bolster the workforce with resilient employees,” said Randy Dunton, Executive Director of the Legacy Education Center. “Because I believe in loving our neighbors, I also believe that economic empowerment will serve them, their families, and our community for generations.”

Dunton, who is also a former Liberty men’s basketball coach, believes that while employment opportunities are available, there needs to be a solid game plan to take full advantage of them.

“The vision of Legacy Education Center is educating economic empowerment,” he said. “Our youth are challenged by life skills education gaps that leave them ill-prepared for the production pressures within the labor markets. Yet there has never been a better opportunity for social mobility in the history of the world than today in America. Legacy Education Center rallies the focus on the human development of each student, their intelligently designed passions and skill sets. Our emphasis and methods help the student to redirect their philosophy through the filter of our Creator’s original design for dominion over labor and provisions.”

“Having a steady and reliable job is crucial for building strong families and strong communities,” said Shon Muldrow, Liberty’s Executive Vice President of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity. “Liberty University’s investment in the Legacy Education Center will serve these young professionals to that end.”

With the trained teachers, staff, and programming in place, Dunton is confident about the future of the Legacy Education Center and the impact it will have on the City of Lynchburg and surrounding communities.

“Look out as these underserved students unleash their talents and passions with the purpose of adding value in the marketplace,” Dunton said. “The results will be phenomenal productivity.”