Literacy Council of Northern Virginia, Inc.

Imagine if you could not read a teacher’s note about your child’s school performance. Picture yourself trying to decipher medicine labels, and struggling to tell the difference between Aspirin and Children’s Aspirin. Envision maneuvering a place as large as Northern Virginia without knowing how to read a bus schedule or Metro map. These simple tasks are immense challenges for someone who is illiterate.

Literacy is a survival skill. The Literacy Council of Northern Virginia teaches adults the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English. By empowering individuals with the gift of literacy, LCNV opens pathways that enable them to become more independent, confident, and active in their communities. Literacy makes it possible for someone to secure a better job, complete their GED, help a child with his/her homework, and fulfill the dream of becoming a citizen. Ultimately, literacy allows learners to build more rewarding lives.

Support LCNV’s Scholarship and Advancement Fund. Similar to a Financial Aid program, the Literacy Council offers scholarships to adult learners unable to afford the $50 fee for classes and tutoring. Your generous contribution of $50 will directly support an adult learner for a full semester. By donating $150, you will enable a student to attend a full year of classes. Consider making a contribution to the LCNV Scholarship and Advancement Fund, and support an adult who has come forward to learn.

Literacy has empowered these LCNV students:

"Everywhere I see changes in my life. Last year I didn’t speak English. I could not use a bus. I didn’t understand people’s words. Now I can speak English words. Yesterday I went to the bank to tell them I lost my ATM card and I need a new one. They told me that after two weeks they will send the new one. I understood them! When I go to Safeway I go to the cashier by myself. I got a library card so I can borrow books. Now I can do many things by myself!"

-Florence, LCNV Student

"I came to this country in 1987. I didn’t know one word of English. Now I’m reading English and I also write. With my teacher’s help I passed the citizenship exam. I sponsor my children. They get a good education. They respect America. If you are a hard worker than anything you want you can do."

-Sehar, LCNV Student

"I was afraid of making mistakes [and] mispronouncing words. I was always quiet and would not read any letter and announcement in front of others. Since last year all those things have improved immensely. I can now pronounce words correctly. I can read in front of people. Even if it is something I don't know how to spell, I sound it out and spell it. Now I have more confidence in reading and spelling names and words, talking to people, and using the computer. When I was young, I felt that I could not do it like others could do it. But now through the help I got from tutoring, I know I can do it."

-Geraldine, LCNV Student

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