The Literacy Council of Sarasota
Imagine not being able to fill out applications for a job or a driver’s license, forms for your children’s school, medical histories or read maps, road signs or work-related instructions. You are at someone’s mercy if you can’t read a contract to rent an apartment, buy a car or get a checking account.
Our country’s educational system is available to every child so that they can learn how to navigate the complex paths of everyday life. Learning requires a command of English – speaking, reading, writing and comprehension. Somehow we have failed in this basic element. This failure, according to ProLiteracy Worldwide, has resulted in a 20% rate of adult illiteracy. In Sarasota County 1 in 5 adults functions at a 3rd to 5th grade (or less) level of reading and writing. Others have never learned to read or write English at all.
For over 30 years the Literacy Council of Sarasota has changed thousands of lives by helping these people learn to read and write English, giving them the power of words. Our community benefits from more self-sufficient taxpayers who are now contributing members. With this power they can improve their employment, pass a GED, enhance their family’s wellbeing and integrate more effectively as a fully functioning member of our society. Through LCS, learners now pass their GED, become citizens and become more effective workers.
Philanthropic support from individual donors plays an essential role in helping us give a growing number of learners in Sarasota County the power of words. Invest in your community as an LCS volunteer, become a tutor, work on a committee, or make a charitable gift. Your gift now will change lives, just as you changed yours through the power of reading and writing.
The Literacy Council of Sarasota, Inc. (LCS), a not-for-profit 501 c3 educational organization, is dedicated to increasing the level of functional literacy of adults in Sarasota through basic literacy and workplace skill instruction. We provide free one-to-one tutoring for adults and a direct-fee Workplace Literacy program for businesses and organizations.
We are located one block west of Washington Street (U.S. 301)
on the campus of The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center.
OFFICE HOURS (open to the public)
Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call in advance if you need our services outside of regular office hours.
Click here for a map of the office location
The Literacy Council of Sarasota is one of a dozen non-profit health and human service agencies housed at the Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center. Since August 15, 2000, the Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center, a 501c3-based facility, has provided rent-free office space with minimal maintenance and utilities cost to the Literacy Council of Sarasota. The Council is grateful to the Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center for the opportunity to help thousands of learners and their families through literacy.
PHONE
(941) 955-0421
FAX
(941) 955-0653
E-MAIL
info@sarasotaliteracy.org
Member of ProLiteracy America and the Florida Literacy Coalition.
OUR VISION
The Literacy Council of Sarasota envisions all adults in Sarasota County possessing the necessaru literacy skills to become contributing members of the South West Florida community.
OUR MISSION
The Literacy Council of Sarasota bu1ilds a more literate community by helping adults (16+) develop and improve English language skills through one-on-one or group needs based tutoring.
Literacy is defined as reading, writing, speakin and understanding as well as technical and financial skills.
WE BELIEVE
- that it’s essential for individuals in our community to have the ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
- that in order to acquire these skills, individuals must have access to effective literacy programs.
- that a well trained core of volunteer tutors can be an effective means of providing literacy instruction.
- that literacy is the gateway to achieving financial, health, legal, civic and technological life skills.
- that the economic vitality of Sarasota County is dependent on a skilled and literate workforce.
- in the importance of collaboration with appropriate agencies and organizations.
ADULT LITERACY PROGRAMS
Adult Basic Literacy Education
Provides basic reading and writing assistance, including GED preparation. Click here to learn more.
ESOL Program (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
Provides help with English comprehension, citizenship preparation and family literacy.
Workplace Literacy Program
Provides customized literacy training at the workplace. Call 941.955.0421 for more information.
Speakers Bureau
Offers community groups the chance to learn about our mission.
Books Alive!
Features an acting troupe for your group’s entertainment.
OUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Our aim is empower and enable people to become self-sufficient, increase their opportunities and build better lives by helping them improve their basic literacy skills.
BOARD AND STAFF
Click here to learn about our Board of Directors and staff.
OUR AFFILIATIONS
ProLiteracy Worldwide
Florida Literacy Coalition
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce
LCS rocks!