Literacy Program

The Literacy Program has three major components: Basic Adult Literacy, Children's Literacy and Family Literacy. The mission of the Literacy Program of Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc. is to serve the needs of Tazewell County citizens who are not achieving appropriate literacy levels.

An adult literacy student is smart and hardworking. His boss doesn’t know he can’t read, and he has turned down promotions because he is afraid that his bosses would find out. When he started with us four years ago, he read on a preschool level – only on the fourth month of kindergarten level. He now reads on a 3.6 level. He has been able to take on a better paying job – making almost $20 an hour now to support his family. He is now in GED classes – but still with Literacy, because he has major reading difficulties. He has been persistent, and he has worked hard to overcome his problems. Three tutors have worked with him over the years. Each has contributed to his progress in some way. While there have been no magical formulas to help him, and progress has not been overnight, change has come – he can read some things now that he could not before, and he is not afraid to take a job where he has to write.

Basic Adult Literacy

The program serves adults age 16 and older who perceive themselves to be functionally illiterate. Adults unable to read and comprehend at a fourth grade level are eligible for services. Adults in Tazewell County who read on a functional literacy level of fourth grade or less comprise 24% of the adult population. Services are free to all participating adults. Tutors receive training, monthly support, materials for tutoring and in-service training.

Children's Literacy and America Reads

It also serves children in kindergarten through twelfth grade who are at-risk of remaining below their appropriate literacy levels. Tutors receive training, monthly support, materials for tutoring and in-service training.

Family Literacy

Reading problems are intergeneration because parents cannot help their children obtain appropriate pre-literacy skills, help them practice reading and writing skills or help students with their homework assignments. Basic literacy skills have been identified by the Tazewell County America Promise as the first step in preparing the youth of Tazewell County to achieve greater success in education as well as in life.

Family Literacy provides assistance to the whole family to improve educational skills, careers, family relationships and increased parenting skills. Activities in family literacy include parenting classes, intergenerational activities, lending libraries for families, incentives for reading, career development, and literacy skills development.

If you would like to be a tutor, or know anyone who needs assistance, let us know. Call (276) 988-5583 or click here.