Trinity's Learning Resource Center, Inc.
"Providing Direction for the Next Generation,
Affecting Generations to Come, and Equipping Them For Successful Living"
12725 W. Indian School Rd., Suite E101
Avondale, AZ 85392
Phone (623) 512-4852
email: trinityslearningresource@yahoo.com
Carlton & Kerry Dasher, Founders
Youth Mentor/Facilitator
Parent Coach/Facilitator
ABOUT US
Priscilla Gruendler, Parent Coach/Facilitator
Twyla Washington, Child Care Director & Director of Transportation
Carlton is former U.S. NAVY. He served 8-1/2 years, obtained his degree in Aerospace Engineering (Memphis State University), and was nominated for Officer's Candidate School in 1985. He received an honorable medical discharge in 1986. Since 1977 Carl served his community youth and families through coaching sports, church youth groups, and life skills enrichment programs. Carlton and Kerry are parents of 6 children ages 11 up to 32 years of age, and are a blended family. Carl and Kerry understand the challenges that face families today. Carl was raise by a single mom, and Kerry was raised by a divorced mom from the age of 2 years old. Both Carl and Kerry have experienced the challenges of life without a father and a stable family unit, but by the love and grace of God and other caring adults, they have grown past the hardships that life had to offer. Kerry, formerly a single mom herself, at the age of 19 years old, both worked and attended school full-time, which awarded her an AS degree as a Flight Attendant/Ticketing & Reservations and later she completed her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration (University of Phoenix). Because Carl and Kerry both understand by experience, the hardships of being parented by single parents, parenting as singles, and the need that youth have for loving, caring, and supportive parents and adults, and environments that provide that love, encouragement, and positive direction, both Carl and Kerry have given themselves to this program and service to youth and families. It is their goal and purpose to see youth fulfill their life purpose, and become productive, life-giving community members. It was from their for-profit business Trinity Debt Management Services that Trinity's Learning Resource Center, Inc. was birthed. In 1998, After conducting a 45 minute, once a week class to elementary age students of New Life Education Christian Academy, in Montclair, CA, it became more evident to them that financial habits, like all other habits, are passed down from one generation to the next. And if they were to make a positive change and impact in the lives of people; providing real freedom from debt and the lack of knowledge concerning financial matters, they would need to reach children at a young age with the knowledge, skills, and tools to overcome, and to plan for success.
Carl and Kerry formed Trinity's Learning Resource Center in January 20, 2000 to provide life skills education and enrichment programs for youth 8-21 years of age. Currently, they offer programs for youth 8-21 years, and child care for parents with younger children (newborn to 7 years old). In 2005 they obtained its 501(c)(3) non profit status. Along with Carl and Kerry, the West Valley staff of Trinity's Learning Resource Center is made up of committed volunteers. Please meet Executive Volunteers Priscilla Gruendler and Twyla Washington.
Twyla is a native of Arizona, born and raised in the West Valley. She received her AA in general education from Glendale Community College, and attend Ottawa University in Kansas for 2 years. Twyla coached freshman volleyball for 2 years at her alma mater Agua Fria Union High School. Twyla was raised by a single mom along with her 4 siblings. Being the oldest girl she had to take on the role of mom as her own mom had to work two jobs to support her family. So, though she has no children of her own she helped raise her younger siblings. Her family has always worked in helping others whether it being with the elderly, the disabled, or youth throughout AZ. They are a close knit family and love to have family gatherings on birthdays and any holiday they can get together as a family. Twyla has also worked for Glendale Parks and Recreation for the past 5 years in their youth department. Working with T-ball, volleyball, PH&R, PP&K, and the Hershey track meet. Over the summer Twyla will be taking classes to become a foster parent along with respite care. It is Twyla’s goal to assist anyone that is in need, whether it be a co-worker, friend or complete stranger. She has assisted in helping raise money for co-workers who had major illnesses, and the benefits did not cover all their needs. After numerous knee surgeries she saw a need for transportation for people that are not able to get around when they needed to. So, the opportunity to help with transportation for Trinity Learning Resource center came at a time when she was looking to do some volunteer work in transportation, thus leading to assisting with child care. They not only learn from her, but she learns from them as well. She feels that you can always learn from someone one no matter how old or young they are.
Priscilla spent 30 plus years as a President of various Credit Unions in Madison, Wisconsin, worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison for 5 years in Accounts Payable and Payroll Depts, prior to relocating to Arizona.
Priscilla spent her last 5 years prior to retiring working at Wilson Electric in Accounts Receivable-Accounts Payable and Collection Depts. Priscilla has worked with many youth programs: Oregon School For Girls, 1976 to 1978, after moving to Milwaukee, WI, along with her husband, Spence they works with AWANA - 1976 to 1983. The Gruendler home has been open to young people in need throughout the years, and as Foster parents from 1991-1993. Priscilla and Spence worked with the Gideon’s visiting the Dane Country jail inmates in Madison (1995 to 2000). Since relocating to Arizona, Priscilla has been a volunteer of Al-anon at Perryville Prison since 2009. She has also been a part of Trinity’s Learning Resource Center’s Family Program since 2009 as a Parent Coach/Facilitator, and she serves as a Prayer Intercessor with Expected End Ministries in Maricopa County. Priscilla is the mother of two adult children, and has 2 grandchildren, with one on the way!
