CCE Merges With DePorres P.L.A.C.E.

DePorres P.L.A.C.E. student (CCE)

(Press Release) (WEST PALM BEACH, FL) – The Susan and Dom Telesco Center for Creative Education (CCE) recently completed an affiliation with DePorres P.L.A.C.E. (Personal Literacy And Continuing Education), expanding CCE’s continuum of education to include adult literacy, English language instruction and lifelong learning opportunities for adults across Palm Beach County.

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With the affiliation, CCE will oversee and manage four core programs: The Foundations School, an independent K-5th Grade school providing a rigorous and creative education regardless of limitations in income and circumstance; The Karakul – Held Academy, programs that are dedicated to enriching the lives of young learners by providing engaging environments where they can explore their passions, develop new skills and build meaningful relationships; Blue Planet Global Education, which connects students from different countries so they can learn about global issues together, understand each other’s viewpoints and brainstorm solutions for a better future; and now, DePorres P.L.A.C.E. for Adult Literacy.
 
DePorres P.L.A.C.E.’s mission, helping adult learners unlock opportunities through literacy, language and continuing education, will continue with the same individualized approach that has long defined its success. According to CCE leadership, combining these programs now provides a whole-child support system to help students and their families reach their full potential.
 
“This affiliation represents a meaningful step forward for our organization and for the community we serve,” said Robert L. Hamon, President and CEO of the Susan and Dom Telesco Center for Creative Education. “For years, our work has focused on helping children thrive academically and emotionally by recognizing that their success is shaped not only by what happens in the classroom, but by the broader ecosystem surrounding them. Through our affiliation with DePorres P.L.A.C.E., we are extending that commitment to the adults in children’s lives—strengthening families as essential partners in student readiness, stability, and long-term success. When parents and caregivers gain confidence through literacy and language, it directly supports the success of their children. Bringing these programs together allows us to serve families more fully and create a true continuum of learning, from childhood through adulthood.”
 
DePorres P.L.A.C.E. provides one-on-one tutoring for individualized instruction tailored to each student’s needs. Its Basic Literacy Programs support English-speaking adults over 18 who are out of school and reading below an eighth-grade level. Many students who reach their reading goals at DePorres P.L.A.C.E. go on to GED preparation programs and college. It also offers ESOL tutoring for adults who speak little or no English, with instruction provided on a one-on-one or small-group basis.
 
“At CCE, we believe that education is a lifelong journey that empowers entire communities,” said Dr. Susan Gay Wemette, Chief Programs Officer. “DePorres P.L.A.C.E. has built a beautiful legacy of providing the foundational tools of literacy and language that lead to true independence. I am deeply committed to ensuring that this vital mission not only continues but thrives within our CCE family. By integrating these services, we are creating a more inclusive and supportive environment where every learner—regardless of age—can find their voice and reach their full potential.”
 
CCE will work closely with DePorres P.L.A.C.E. supporters, volunteers and community partners to ensure continuity of services and a seamless transition as DePorres P.L.A.C.E. becomes part of CCE.
 
CCE advances academic success through programs that support students, families and communities. The Foundations School, one of four core pillars, is a K–5 independent school achieving transformative results for underserved students. Tuition is accessible thanks to critical philanthropic support and state scholarships. CCE’s work produces results that inform and impact the field of education.
 
For additional information on DePorres P.L.A.C.E. or CCE, visit cceflorida.org. To make a donation toward a scholarship, please call Vivianne Hall at 561.805.9927; extension 118.