Adult Literacy

Outreach efforts are targeted at the thousands of adults in Palm Beach County whose lack of literacy skills makes them unemployed or underemployed. Persons for whom English is a second language are also recruited for English classes that serve the needs of many nationalities in our county. Volunteers are recruited, trained and placed to assist adult learners.

2010-2011 Program Outcomes:

  • 1,587 Literacy Hotline calls were received.
  • 1,284 adult were connected to literacy programs.
  • 158 volunteers were trained to be adult literacy tutors.
  • 303 volunteers were provided with tutoring information.
  • 181 outreach sites were visited.

PROGRAM IMPACT

I’m a very fortunate 70 year old retiree living in Palm Beach County, blessed with good health, a decent pension and lots of free time.

I decided to research local not-for-profit organizations and was most impressed with the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County. The Literacy Coalition works to encourage, support and promote literacy throughout Palm Beach County. One of the great programs provided by them is the recruitment, training and assignment of volunteer tutors to adult education facilities around the county. After considering my good fortune, I decided to do something productive with my free time and give to others less fortunate than myself.

Of all the things I could volunteer to do, the very best choice for me was to help people obtain the tools they need for happiness and success. I also concluded that no tool was greater or more important to people than the ability to read, write and understand the world and the society where they live and work.

For more than two years, I have been volunteering my free time to the Coalition by tutoring adult students at Jupiter Community High School. As a retiree, I can’t think of anything that has been more enjoyable, rewarding or given me a greater sense of productivity or accomplishment. My students are dedicated and enthusiastic—they want to learn to read. It’s amazing to see their progress. I urge everyone with time to spare to contact the Coalition and find out what you can do to help others and yourself.

Happy Tutoring!

Art Teolis
Jupiter Community High School