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GRAHAM, N.C. – Alamance Community College opened its new literacy building Wednesday. Officials say the nearly $2 million center was needed to meet the growing demands of older workers going back to school. Officials say it couldn't come at a better time.

When Harold Laster, Jr. found himself out of work, he knew he had to do something.

“I've got three girls at home and my wife, so I couldn't give up. The good Lord told me just to keep on going and put my faith in him and my faith in ACC,” Laster said.

Laster enrolled in Alamance Community College's GED program and excelled. He quickly got his high school diploma and became a full-time student at the community college.

“At this day and age, you really got to have your education and I wanted to prove to my daughters that they need their education and that they could see their dad get his education,” Laster said.

And to meet the growing needs of adult learners, school leaders officially opened a new literacy building.

“This building is a huge deal for us and most of all for our students. It's dedicated space just for the adult literacy program,” Alamance Community College Director of Basic Skills Laura Coffee said.

Students will be able to work on their basic literacy skills, which officials say is desperately needed. About 20 percent of adults in the county can't read above a fifth grade level.

“We put this building on this campus because we believe literacy is the gateway for postsecondary education,” Coffee said. “So, from day one our students learn about careers. They learn about goal setting. We really work with them.”

Laster says he saw that success after he got his high school diploma.

“Don't give up. There's so many people that are out of work that have lost their jobs and been laid off. Just don't give up,” Laster said.

The school used leftover money from a 2005 bond referendum to pay for the new building. The 10,000 sq. ft. building cost about $1.8 million to build.