Literacy Volunteers at Centenary College

"Teaching Literacy. Bringing Hope. Changing Lives."

We are solid, we are growing, we are successful, and together we are building a future!

Please Join Us!  Your support is critical to our continued support of adult neighbors' wishing to improve the standard of living for them and their families through literacy.

Get to Know us.

↑(Don't forget to click the "Our Future" tab above to see where we're going next!)↑

“Pathways to Literacy”

We are solid! 

Even today one in four adults in our community can't or have difficulty reading even the simplest information and do simple math.  They have trouble feeding their kids.  They can't afford health care or healthy food.  Often school supplies are out of the question.  Savings are non-existent.  It doesn't have to be that way. Thankfully, that leaves three in four in our community who can help - Including you.

Literacy Volunteers at Centenary College (LVCC) has been a beacon of hope in Northwest Louisiana for the past four decades. We provide literacy education to adults over 18.  With the mission of "Teaching Literacy. Bringing Hope. Changing Lives.", LVCC empowers individuals by enhancing language and math skills, thereby opening doors to new opportunities to improve their and their family’s living standards.  But we need your help.

We are growing!

Since the Covid unpleasantness, the LVCC students served has jumped by 45% from 127.  Our tutor & teacher numbers are up by 260% from 10.  That's huge!  But, with the help of others, we'll be well suited to handle this trend.

Our students are successful!

Everyone knows a high school diploma is key to a rewarding family and work life.  We currently have 35 students in our Pre-HiSET/GED program working toward that diploma.  Our ESL students are working to converse in English.  They want to participate fully in our community.  We have success stories.  Here are three:

Take Lucinda for example.

Lucinda, on the left with our Program Manager, Josephine Wade, wants what many of us enjoy.  She wants to help her kids with homework.  She wants to support her family.  She wants a better life for herself and children.  She wants stability.

Lucinda proves her dedication to these goals, and so do her three young daughters who cheer her on.  Basic Literacy that normally takes 6-12 months or more, Lucinda finished in eight weeks.  She now reads at a high school level.  She loves to read and is proud of her success.  So are we!

Lucinda is currently tackling high school level math with the same voracity.  Once complete, we'll assess her new skills.  And we won't be surprised to discover that Lucinda is ready to sit for her high school diploma tests.  You go girl!

That's the legacy that LVCC provides through our Basic Literacy, Pre-HiSET/GED learning and English as Second Language (ESL) Learning programs.

Marie never gave up.

By her own admission, Marie didn't fit in.  Smart as a whip, school life was difficult, so she dropped out.  A year ago Marie gave us a try.  Like everyone wanting to earn their high school diploma with LVCC, she took the Test of Basic Literacy (TABE) Assessment to understand her skill levels.  Marie excelled!  Marie is smart.  What Marie lacked was confidence.

With a little work on her part, lots of encouragement from her family and LVCC, Marie sat for her diploma tests last fall.  She passed them all the first time.  Marie earned her diploma.  With diploma in hand and a scholarship from Bossier Parish Community College, Marie began college.  Her passion is writing and producing music.  We are confident that she'll win!

In a recent conversation, Marie said, "I have class friends.  My professor is cool.  I'm the happiest I have ever been."

Sometimes it's not learning that's the issue, it's confidence.  How many others out there need this kind of support?... you and LVCC can help.

Let's talk about Jenny and her food truck.

Jenny arrived in Shreveport with little English skills and a passion for cooking.  She needed to learn English.  She came to LVCC. Here's what she wrote, "When I first came to school, I had zero foundation.  LVCC provided a one-on-one tutor. The twice-weekly study improved my English. I have made great progress.  Now, I am no longer afraid to communicate with others.  I can speak English with my unique Chinese accent.  My tutor gave me confidence in learning English thanks to his patience and teaching.  I love this school for giving me the opportunity to learn English systematically, thank you!"

With the support of her husband, Jenny now operates a food truck called "Humpty Dumpling."  If you like Chinese food, this is the place to go.

The challenges are big.  The rewards are great.  And, there is strength in numbers.  You can be a part of a movement that builds stability for our neighbors and our community.  Together we can build a future!  Please consider donating and be a part of helping others.  It's worth it.

We are solid, we are growing, we are successful.  Check out the "Our Future" link above for the rest of the story