News & Stories
Making Learning Accessible for All
Photo credit: Grand Traverse Dyslexia Association
Image description: A student and a tutor sit across from each other at a small round table in a classroom, working with papers and a tablet. Bookshelves and educational materials are visible in the background.
For forty years, the Grand Traverse Dyslexia Association (GTDA) has supported dyslexic students, helping restore their joy in learning while also providing resources to parents, teachers, and the community. With a team of trained tutors, more than 100 students make significant strides in building academic confidence each year, thanks to the care and consistency provided.
“We go at the student’s pace, delivering one-on-one tutoring to meet their needs every time,” said GTDA Executive Director Vicki Norris. “Everyone who works here has a love for teaching and a desire to help students succeed.”
Vicki first got involved with GTDA after her daughter Audra was diagnosed with dyslexia. Passionate about not only helping her daughter but other children as well, Vicki became a tutor, and now, she proudly leads this organization that puts students first.
GTDA has witnessed many success stories over the years, and Vicki’s daughter Audra is a testament to the organization’s positive impact. Audra began tutoring as a fourth grader who was reading at a first-grade level. Initially shy and lacking confidence, she slowly improved her reading abilities, entering high school reading at nearly grade level.
Audra’s growth continued as she attended college on a basketball scholarship and earned her degree. She now owns an emotional health counseling business that helps people discover their best selves. The services of GTDA were vital to Audra’s success and personal development, as they are to countless other students and their families.
“Tutoring changed my life and put me on a path to reach my dream of playing college basketball and earning my degree,” shared Audra Norris.
To support GTDA’s efforts to help students like Audra, we’ve been proud to partner with them through diversity, equity, and inclusion grant awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025 to fund their tuition assistance program.
“We have a varied populace at GTDA,” shared Vicki. “Many of our students are tuition-assisted to help families provide uninterrupted tutoring for their child. Without financial help from the Community Foundation’s diversity, equity, and inclusion grants, these families would not be able to afford consistent tutoring.”
Such grant support has had an overwhelming positive impact on the community, helping make GTDA’s programming accessible to those who need it most.
“Dyslexia is not a respecter of persons in race, economic status, or abilities,” added Vicki. “Having diversity, equity, and inclusion grants ensures that all people who need dyslexia tutoring receive individualized instruction to help them meet their educational and personal goals, making them confident, active members of our community.”
Writer: Alex Dailey