THIS IS LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA

In the technologically advanced '90s, when first graders work on computers and you can see the person on the other end of your telephone line, it's hard to believe that there are American adults who can't read this sentence. It's hard to believe that something as basic as reading is an impossible task for 40 million adults in this country, but it's true. In urban areas from New York City to Chicago and Houston to San Diego - and in small communities like Chipley, Florida; Bay City, Texas; and Ashtabula, Ohio there are adults who can't read. They're men and women; white, African American, and Hispanic; dropouts and high school graduates. And LVA is there to help them.

WHO ARE WE?

Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. (LVA) is a national, nonprofit educational organization, operated by professionals, which delivers tutoring services through a network of more than 50,000 volunteers nationwide. Because of our extremely cost-effective system, we are able to provide goal-oriented tutoring, one-to-one or in small groups, at no charge to the student. Founded in 1962 in Syracuse, New York, LVA currently includes over 400 affiliates in 44 states, and eight state offices.

WHY DO WE EXIST?

LVA's mission is to reach adults whose literacy skills are very limited or non-existent and to provide volunteer tutors who can teach reading, writing and English speaking skills. LVA provides the professional training, materials and support that enables the volunteers to be effective tutors.

The challenge of illiteracy is significant and the costs to individuals and society are great. The 1993 National Adult Literacy Survey by the U.S. Department of Education showed that 21% to 23% of adults in this country have literacy skills at the lowest level. LVA exists to reach and teach those individuals.

Millions of today's employees lack basic skills in reading and writing. This situation is costly to business because it can lead to low productivity, workplace accidents, poor product quality and lost management and supervisory time. LVA provides workplace-related instruction for those most often neglected by corporate in-house programs and community job preparation classes.

Mission Statement:

It is the mission of LVA to increase the literacy level of the residents of Matagorda County who have less than a fifth grade reading level and who lack in conversational reading skills.

We are committed to:

seeking and encouraging participation of students and volunteers

providing basic literacy skills through free programs using LVA methodology and resources; and assisting students in achieving personal, educational and job related goals.

LVA SERVICES

One on one tutoring:

Basic Literacy (BL): LVA Bay City provides free one on one tutoring to those whose reading skills are below the fifth grade level and whose first language is English.

English as a Second Lanugage (ESL): LVA Bay City provides free one on one tutoring to those whose reading skills are below the fifth grade level and whose first language is not English.

Small Group Tutoring:

LVA Bay City provides free tutoring to small, special needs groups whose reading skills are below the fifth grade level. A small group is defined as one or more tutors working with two or more students in a group environment.

Tutor Training:

LVA Bay City provides tutor training to volunteers who are interested in helping others learn to read. The tutor training consists of 15 hours of instruction gy an LVA certified tutor trainer. The volunteer in training is assessed a $15 materials fee.

Intake and Self-Study Computer Lab:

LVA Bay City makes available to students the free use of a computer lab for computer based instruction in reading. The software used is Essential Learning Systems (ELS) by Computer Educational Institute (CEI). The lab is monitored by an LVA staff person who is certified by CEI. The lab is available on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. The lab is an excellent resource for either students or tutors who are waiting to be placed in a one on one learning relationship.

Workforce Literacy:

LVA Bay City provides specialized instruction to small groups who need reading instruction for job related purposes. This is typically a classroom environment with specific goals to be attained within a certain time period.