Literacy Volunteers of Southern CT

Welcome to the Literacy Volunteers of Southern Connecticut. Enter our ‘doors of learning’ for a successful start in your education, in your career, and in your life. They’re always wide open for incoming students in need of basic literacy skills.

For two decades, our non-profit organization has been building literacy in the Greater Milford and Stratford Area with our quality programs for thousands of local adults and children. Our President, Martin O’Neill, the Board of Directors, and myself are in the midst of a yearlong rollout of dynamic educational programs and fundraiser event venues.

The ability to read and write is the basis for all other education; literacy is necessary for an individual to understand information, whether written or verbal. Without literacy skills—the abilities to read, write, do math, solve problems, or to access and use technology—today’s adults will struggle to take part in the world around them and fail to reach their full potential as parents, community members, and employees.

We are happy to report that our literacy volunteers are making a huge difference in our student’s lives and helping them to reach their goals.

Last year our tutors donated over 3,000 hours to more than 100 English Language Learners (ELL). Through the weekly tutoring, many of our ELL students entered into higher education or training, some were able to get a job or improve their career, some received their GED and citizenship, others voted for the first time, received a drivers license, and became more involved in their children’s community activities.

It takes great courage for many of our ELL students to walk through our door and ask for help. We match them with a tutor or put them in a group and they begin to learn the English language, some for the first time.

The City of Milford and Stratford are becoming very diverse. Currently there are 53 different languages spoken in the homes of Milford and Stratford and more than 15,000 adults without a high school diploma. We strive to reach out and help many of them. We strive to celebrate the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies everywhere, and to honor the teachers and volunteers who are making a difference by helping children and adults learn to read and write every day.

Tami Jackson
Executive Director