Literacy Connections

Program Overview

Literacy Connections is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization founded in 1975 as Literacy Volunteers of America-Dutchess County, Inc. We later changed our name to Literacy Connections of the Hudson Valley, Inc. We serve adult students with the lowest literacy levels and immigrants lacking English language skills in Dutchess, Columbia, Greene and Orange Counties. Recognizing that illiteracy or low literacy is a family issue, our Adult and Family Literacy program also offers reading enrichment to children through our Book Buddies program, which brings volunteers to read to children in schools so that they will have a positive experience with books.

Our core program is to help adults learn to read and write and function independently by recruiting and training volunteers to provide one-to-one and small group tutoring that is student-centered. Student-centered means not following a pre-determined curriculum and giving a voice to the student with regard to their learning goals. Teaching adults is not the same as teaching children. Materials must be sensitive and respectful of adult learners, and because adults face so many challenges in their daily lives, the learning must be relevant and meaningful.

All Literacy Connections services to adults and children are free of charge to participants.

For over 45 years, Literacy Connections has been helping people learn to read, write, and reach their potential.

Literacy Connections of the Hudson Valley, Inc.