Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County do?

The Literacy Coalition has 10 direct service programs that serve individuals from infancy through adulthood. We help families in poverty improve their reading and English skills in two family literacy programs. We teach adults with low literacy skills in the workplace and in community centers. We provide training on literacy strategies for staff members in after school programs. We work with pediatricians to introduce low income families to the importance of reading with their children. We provide reading partners who share books weekly with three-year-old children to help them blossom into life-long lovers of books and reading. We coordinate a home visiting program that encourages verbal interaction and educational play between parents and their preschool children. We coordinate an AmeriCorps program whose members tutor children, youth and adults and serve as high school graduation coaches. Please click on the "Programs" tab for a complete description of each program.

How long have you been in business?

The Literacy Coalition started with a volunteer board in 1989. Paid staff members have provided services since 1992.

What geographic area do you cover?

Program services are provided at more than 110 sites throughout Palm Beach County, Florida - a geographic area that is larger than the state of Rhode Island. 

Do you use volunteers?

Volunteers are very important to the Literacy Coalition. Community leaders volunteer their time and talents serving as members of the board of directors, advisory panel and event committees. More than a dozen volunteers assist the staff in our Village Readers Family Education Program in classroom instruction and tutoring for the adult learners and children. In the Literacy Coalition's administrative office, volunteers help with clerical tasks. The Literacy Coalition also recruits hundreds of volunteers to serve at partner literacy agencies. Training in how to tutor an adult learner is provided. If you are interested in attending a tutor training workshop, please click on the "Get Involved" tab.

How can I get services for my child who is not reading at grade level in school?

We suggest that you access every service available at your child's school by meeting with the classroom teacher, reading specialist and guidance counselor. If there is a coordinator of volunteers at the school, he/she may be able to recruit someone to work with your child. You may also wish to meet with the principal in order to discuss other resources that may be available in that particular school.

Can you recommend a tutor for my child?

The Literacy Coalition does not make recommendations about individual tutors or commercial tutoring services.

Do you provide any services for people who can read?

The Read Together Palm Beach County (RTBPC) campaign is held every two years. The purpose of RTPBC is to excite adults about reading, have them understand that reading can be an enjoyable activity and foster community dialogue and engagement. Read Together Palm Beach County encourages residents of diverse ethnic, social, educational, and economic backgrounds to read and openly discuss the same book over the same time period. Through RTPBC, thousands of Palm Beach County residents have read Fahrenheit 451, Their Eyes Were Watching God, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Memory Keeper's Daughter among others.

How can I learn about employment opportunities with the Literacy Coalition?

Please check our website frequently for job openings. Specific requirements for each position as well as directions for submitting an application are provided as jobs become available.