Book Club Facilitator

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About Harrisburg Literacy--Volunteers of America

Location:

2112 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103, US

Mission Statement

Volunteers of America was founded in 1896 by Christian social reformers Ballington and Maud Booth as a broad spiritual movement to "reach and uplift" the American people. Volunteers of America is one of the nations oldest, largest, most diverse and most effective non-profit human service agencies. Throughout the United States, local Volunteers of America organizations serve individuals and communites in need and create opportunities for people to experience the joy of serving others. All Volunteers of America programs are designed to help those who strive for self sufficiency. We measure success in positive changes in the lives of individuals and the communities we serve.

Description

Our Literacy Program began in 1982. Harrisburg Literacy provides one-to-one tutoring services to local adults who want to improve their reading, writing, arithmetic and computer skills. Most of our trained tutors are volunteers, dedicated to helping people learn more about the world around us. All of our students read at or below a 5th grade level and many have learning differences, making them the most needy students in our area. Many of our English as a Second Language students are illiterate in their native languages, so learning English is even more difficult for them. Aside from these learning issues, many of our students also deal with a lack of transportation and childcare. Often tutors meet in students' homes to help alleviate these problems. We use a variety of materials --books, worksheets, computer programs, magazines, etc. --which are free to our tutors and students.