About Us
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Our Services
We understand that to achieve the highest level of success, it is important to provide each adult student with quality literacy services in a supportive learning environment.
LVA provides free literacy services to adults, 16 years and older, who need instruction in Basic Literacy (BL) or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Basic Literacy (BL) programs are offered to those adults who have been identified as reading below the 6th grade level and who need to improve their literacy skills (understand, read, write, speak, and listen). English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs are offered to those adults who have been identified as limited English Speakers and who need to improve their literacy skills (understand, read, write, speak and listen). |
Who We Are
LVA recruits and trains volunteer tutors; pre-tests, post-tests, and instructs adult students; provides continued in-service training to tutors; provides peer group seminars for students and tutors; and provides ongoing communication with the community it services.
LVA provides supervision and continued training to volunteers and professional staff through a systematic process of communication, observation and evaluation. Fact Sheet
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Annual Reports
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Our History
Ruth Colvin founded Literacy Volunteers in 1962 in Syracuse, New York. She saw that adult illiteracy was a widespread problem in her area and chose to make a difference in those people’s lives. Colvin first determined that traditional classroom methods did not work for many illiterate adults. Consequently, she worked with professional reading consultants to develop a training program to prepare volunteers to specifically tutor adults and older teens, one-on-one, in basic reading and writing. These specially developed tutor training workshops, as well as the additional development of special materials, and her own organizational skills led to the spread of her program from the Finger Lakes region of New York to all across the United States.
In the 1970’s, Literacy Volunteers of America, New Jersey was established to promote and foster increased literacy throughout the state. In 1986, LVA-NJ established a separate organization in Newark. Besides an active program serving Newark residents, the Newark affiliate established a unique tutoring program at the Northern State Prison. By its 30th anniversary, LVA had 450 affiliates across the country. Annual national conventions draw new volunteer tutors, trainers, volunteer board members, staff, and students from all regions.
Lastly in 1993, Essex County and Newark LVA associations joined forces to maximize their combined resources. The new organization became known as LVA, Newark and Essex Counties which currently serves both Essex and Passaic counties. The organization has continued to grow under the leadership of its current executive director Cristhian Barcelos.
In the 1970’s, Literacy Volunteers of America, New Jersey was established to promote and foster increased literacy throughout the state. In 1986, LVA-NJ established a separate organization in Newark. Besides an active program serving Newark residents, the Newark affiliate established a unique tutoring program at the Northern State Prison. By its 30th anniversary, LVA had 450 affiliates across the country. Annual national conventions draw new volunteer tutors, trainers, volunteer board members, staff, and students from all regions.
Lastly in 1993, Essex County and Newark LVA associations joined forces to maximize their combined resources. The new organization became known as LVA, Newark and Essex Counties which currently serves both Essex and Passaic counties. The organization has continued to grow under the leadership of its current executive director Cristhian Barcelos.
