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Learn English and Reading Now, Inc

Why We Exist

Our mission is to increase opportunities for adults in our community through instruction in English language and literacy. Our vision is that all motivated adults in our community have sufficient language skills to improve their lives.

What We Do

We offer free adult literacy instruction to anyone age 18 or over who reads at or below the 3rd grade reading level. Instruction is offered by trained tutors, either one-on-one or in small group classes. Subjects covered include general literacy, employment, accessing health care, becoming a good consumer, and understanding our community. All materials and experiences are provided to the learner free of charge.

Who We Serve

We serve anyone age 18 or over who reads at or below the 3rd grade reading level. Clients may self refer or be referred by an agency, employer, or other concerned person. Anyone living in Staunton, Waynesboro, or Augusta County is eligible for our services.
Why Community Members Support Our Work
In addition to the personal costs, illiteracy has a huge cost to society. Illiteracy adds $230 billion to America’s annual healthcare costs. Over 75% of state prison inmates are illiterate, increasing costs for incarceration, and 43% of those reading at the levels we serve live in poverty, increasing social services costs. But immigrants who gain English proficiency earn up to 24% more than those who are not, and a 1% increase in average literacy yields a 1.5% increase in the GDP. (Research by ProLiteracy, 2015) It is clear that increasing literacy rates helps not only the learner but all of us. All of our tutors are volunteers, but we have significant costs in their training, in materials used to tutor, and in professional supervision and management. Our average cost per student served is less than $400 per year, a bargain for training that can impact lives and our community in such a positive way.
How Volunteers Contribute to our Work:
In addition to the personal costs, illiteracy has a huge cost to society. Illiteracy adds $230 billion to America’s annual healthcare costs. Over 75% of state prison inmates are illiterate, increasing costs for incarceration, and 43% of those reading at the levels we serve live in poverty, increasing social services costs. But immigrants who gain English proficiency earn up to 24% more than those who are not, and a 1% increase in average literacy yields a 1.5% increase in the GDP. (Research by ProLiteracy, 2015) It is clear that increasing literacy rates helps not only the learner but all of us. All of our tutors are volunteers, but we have significant costs in their training, in materials used to tutor, and in professional supervision and management. Our average cost per student served is less than $400 per year, a bargain for training that can impact lives and our community in such a positive way.
How Volunteers Contribute to our Work:
In addition to the personal costs, illiteracy has a huge cost to society. Illiteracy adds $230 billion to America’s annual healthcare costs. Over 75% of state prison inmates are illiterate, increasing costs for incarceration, and 43% of those reading at the levels we serve live in poverty, increasing social services costs. But immigrants who gain English proficiency earn up to 24% more than those who are not, and a 1% increase in average literacy yields a 1.5% increase in the GDP. (Research by ProLiteracy, 2015) It is clear that increasing literacy rates helps not only the learner but all of us. All of our tutors are volunteers, but we have significant costs in their training, in materials used to tutor, and in professional supervision and management. Our average cost per student served is less than $400 per year, a bargain for training that can impact lives and our community in such a positive way.

Contact Information:

Judith Shuey
49 Hornet Rd
Fishersville,
Virginia
22939