LVGS

About LVGS

LVGS Mission
Annual Reports
How We Work
Background
Board of Directors

LVGS Mission

We teach people how to read, write, and speak English. We do that by:

Training lay people to tutor using one-on-one or small group instruction;
Having a collaborative tutoring model which is student-centered;
Providing literacy services in the workplace; and
Serving primarily adults aged sixteen and older functioning at or below the 6th grade level.

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How We Work

LVGS serves adults that read at or below a 6th grade reading level, targeting adults that read at the lowest literacy levels: Level 1 and Level 2. LVGS matches adult learners with professionally trained, volunteer tutors who assist them to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency.

LVGS provides a certified tutor training program for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer tutor. Workshops prepare tutors in language instruction for Basic Literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages.

Tutors and students meet for a minimum of two instructional hours per week. Together they determine what goals to work on, always remembering that the intent of the organization is to provide instruction that is learner-centered. Participants meet in public places such as libraries.

LVGS offers support to our tutors by providing ongoing in-service training (mini-workshops), as well as "Tutor-Network" sessions. These sessions are held at various times and locations throughout the year, and are often facilitated by interested volunteers. Our staff is available to assist tutors and students with any difficulties they may be having while participating in our program.

Our tutors, much like our students, come from many avenues of life. They come from all socio-economic backgrounds, varying levels of employment or retirement, and cultures diverse enough to be a mini-United Nations. All share one common goal: the desire to improve our community, one life at a time.

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Annual Reports

Making a Difference in Our Community for 45 Years

2008 Annual Report

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Background

Syracuse is the birthplace of Literacy Volunteers. Ruth J. Colvin founded Literacy Volunteers in 1962, when she discovered that 11,000 people in her hometown of Syracuse could not read. Ruth trained volunteers in simple, learner-centered methods to teach reading. Today, this model is used in 1,200 programs throughout the United States, in India, China and Africa.

Since its founding, LVGS has stressed learner-centered instruction and the use of real-world materials in promoting literacy. People come to LVGS because of our reputation as a leading literacy provider in the Greater Syracuse community and our proven track record of helping individuals reach their life goals.

Literacy Volunteers of Greater Syracuse [LVGS] is a nationally accredited affiliate of ProLiteracy America. ProLiteracy America's Accreditation provides literacy programs with a comprehensive process for: 1) conducting an organizational self-assessment; 2) developing program improvement plans; and 3) demonstrating that their organization meets the highest standards for governance, program management, program operations, and volunteer development.

We invite you to join us in our continuing efforts to make a difference in someone's life.

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Board of Directors

Co-President: Mary Ann Anderson
Co-President: Pamela Kirwin Heintz
Treasurer: Richard H. Sargent
Secretary: Tracy L. Carman
Ruth J. Colvin
Colleen Dwyer-Bonura
Ed Kochian
Bonnie Silvernail
Corinne Smith
Dee Tanner

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