The Literacy Connection Programs

The Literacy Connection provides instruction to more than 500 adults a year. The program focuses on helping functionally illiterate adults - those who cannot fill out an employment application, follow written instructions or read a newspaper - acquire the ability to read, write and speak English. This is accomplished largely through volunteer tutors, trained by Literacy Connection staff, who donate over 10,000 hours each year to helping others. The program is comprised of the following units:

Basic Reading is the original Literacy Volunteers of America Program created in 1962. Its purpose is to assist adults to learn to read or improve their literacy skills in order to function self-sufficiently. The main focus of the program is on reading, writing, and spelling. In recent years, foreign-born students with good speaking and listening skills have come into the program.

English as a Second Language (ESL) provides individualized instruction by trained volunteer tutors to help non-English-speaking adults (over the age of 18) acquire the ability to read, write, speak and understand English.

Small Group ESL provides non-English speaking members of the community with basic language skills. Instruction is in small groups, usually not more than ten students. Students can advance one grade level with 35-50 hours of instruction. As they increase their skills, they may be placed in a one-on-one tutoring situation or may progress to more advanced classroom instruction.

The Family Literacy Program offers small group instruction in English for parents while the children participate in learning activities. Informational sessions on community services are also part of the program. The program is offered in two local elementary schools.

Summer Youth Tutoring provides instruction in remedial reading and math for children entering grades two through five. The Literacy Connection trains teens who tutor the children over a six week period. Each summer, the project serves up to 80 children and 20 teens. The goal of the program is to increase confidence and needed skills in reading and math for the children and to afford opportunities for teens to gain leadership skills and self-esteem while providing service to younger children.

Workplace Programs

The Workplace Literacy Program offers job-specific lesson plans to help employees to increase their job skill levels. Since this service is provided on-site, many of the problems that interfere with instruction (e.g., lack of child care and transportation) are overcome.