There's no doubt the job market is tough right now, but imagine trying to compete without reading or writing skills. The Lee County Literacy Coalition (LCLC), a United Way agency exists to help people like this.

The organization began in Lee County in 1989 when Tom Brawner, who was working at Southern Union at the time, noticed people coming for Southern Union's General Educational Development (GED) Test preparation programs, who weren't at the levels of literacy needed. The next year the LCLC became a United Way agency, which now provides them with their office, a tutoring room and the majority of their operating expenses.

The LCLC operates under a single full-time staff member, Debby Jahera, the executive director. All other activities, the tutors, "learners" and board of directors, are the result of volunteers.

In addition to passing the GED, learners come to the center with goals to pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam, to gain or keep their current jobs or even for personal satisfaction. The LCLC sees adults with all levels of illiteracy - from non-readers to those whose skills are weak. Jahera explains that the center also sees a number of retirees, wanting to learn so they can help their grandchildren or read the Bible and participate in Bible study classes.

"There are many reasons someone may not be literate, but the great thing about teaching adults is that they can tell you when a method isn't working; they can tell you ways that didn't work for them in the past and things that did," Jahera explains.

Help with reading and writing are of course part of the program, but the LCLC also offers tutoring for math and computer skills. Tutors and learners are often paired for the duration of the tutor's visits to the LCLC, so the tutor is able to personalize their learning.

Personalization is a main focus of the center, as encouraging relationships between tutors and learners create a friendlier learning atmosphere. This relationship also makes the reward of accomplishing a goal even greater for the learners.

Tutor orientation sessions are held four times each year, offering an introduction to those interested in volunteering, as well as basic instructions on tutoring someone. Over the course of the year, the center tutors around 250 learners, and is involved with between 50 and 60 learners at any given time.

The sessions and all learning materials provided for the learners are free of charge. Sessions are in hour-long increments and tutors and learners meet until the learner has accomplished their goal. While some learners come to the center with the goal of passing the GED in a few weeks' time, others visit over extended periods of time.

While most of their funding is provided through the United Way, the Public Relations Council of Alabama holds a Spelling Bee each summer. The most recent, held July 25, 2008, raised almost $7,500 for the LCLC.

Anyone can volunteer to be a tutor, and Auburn University students are encouraged to complete service learning projects with the LCLC. For more information, call Debby Jahera at 334-705-0001.


Find more videos like this on The Loveliest Village