Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville/Albemarle (LVCA) was established in 1983. We serve approximately 400 students each year, and more than 90% of them are learning English as a Speaker of Other Languages (ESOL). We have approximately 400 volunteer tutors who commit to a minimum of 8 hours per month for one full year. Our one-to-one service is designed to reach students who find they cannot be successful in a classroom situation.
LVCA has three primary programs. In Citizenship Service students learn Civics concepts about the US government in addition to learning to read, write, and speak English. Our Workforce Development students are seeking to improve their job skills so that they may have a living situation and gain self-sufficiency. The Community Connection program is general ESOL instruction for students with a desire to make a connection in our community, and focuses on particular student goals of communication.
During their time of study with LVCA, many of our students entered the job market for the first time or secured better-paying jobs. Parents increased their involvement in their children’s literacy or educational activities, breaking the cycle of illiteracy in families. And last year, 18 of our students became U. S. citizens!