Audry Bernard Spencer’s roots in Crowley have inspired her to work selflessly for its children – a commitment that has endured her entire life.

Audry spent her professional career as an educator, working in the classroom. Retirement has been a new beginning, leading her to a new path for getting children to succeed in school. In 2012, Audry started Empowering the Community for Excellence (ETCFE), an education nonprofit, and invested $20,000 of her own money to renovate her great-grandmother’s home into a learning center available to all children at no cost.

That first year, ETCFE employed three certified teachers and worked with 20 students. Today, the organization is housed in a 5,000 sq.ft. facility donated by the Florence Mauboules Charitable Trust and serves more than 100 students. The facility includes nine classrooms, a computer lab, an outdoor reading area and a community garden.

ETCFE has grown into a kind of community center, supporting children and parents throughout the year, even when school is out of session. And it’s working – the majority of its students are meeting educational benchmarks and advancing one or more levels.

Audry continues to lead the organization with extraordinary grit and determination, knocking on the doors of businesses, civic leaders and others to raise funds and support ETCFE – all of whom have given generously and nurtured the center’s growth. Her risk has paid off for an enthusiastic community. Ask anyone in Crowley – anyone – and that person will know Mrs. Spencer, her teachers and their work.