Hillsborough Literacy Council

The Hillsborough Literacy Council is a nonprofit organization that depends on our volunteers for success!  We have many opportunities for you to get involved.

 

Become a Tutor

Would you like to teach an adult to read?  We have 40 people on the Adult Basic Literacy waiting list.  Volunteers are trained to be tutors at a one-day training session.  Then, an Area Representative will match you with a student.  Tutors and students work together once or twice a week at the local library branch using the Laubach Way to Reading Book Series until the student reaches a fifth grade reading level.  Sometimes adult students join our program with no reading skills and sometimes their level is a little higher.  Either way, every step you reach together will be a successful milestone!

 

Our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program has over 200 adults waiting for a tutor.  These students want to learn to speak English.  Volunteers for this program are trained at a one-day session, and then they are paired with one student or a small group by an Area Representative.  You do not have to speak another language to tutor in this program; in fact, it is best if you don’t speak your student’s language.  That way, both of you are committed to using English to communicate.  For this program, HLC uses the LifePrints:  ESL for Adults Book Series.  Many of our ESOL students are college graduates in their home countries, but because they cannot speak English, they are working as janitors or housekeepers.  Your help teaching them English will change their lives.       

 

We ask that volunteer tutors commit to our program for at least one year.  Check the 2009 Calendar for upcoming training dates.  Once you’ve picked a training date, download this registration form and return it to our offices by email, mail, or fax.

 

Be a Conversation Moderator

Join a room full of conversation.  Once a week, meet with a small group of adults who want to practice their English.  The Conversation Class Teacher will provide a topic, vocabulary, questions, and phrases for each session.  All you have to do is show up and start talking!  Encourage your group to express their opinions and practice their language skills.  If you are a certified teacher or education graduate student, sign up to be the Conversation Class Teacher.  Call or email Mari if you are interested in being a conversation moderator or teacher (813.274.1981 or sakaim@hillsboroughcounty.org).

 

Assist with Administrative Tasks

Are you interested in volunteering in a different capacity?  Do you have valuable skills that you would like to share with the Council?  We have many opportunities for you to be involved.  Email Mari if you are interested in any of the following (sakaim@hillsboroughcounty.org).     

• Match students and tutors as an Area Representative 
• Speak to an organization about HLC - recruit tutors, students, or donations!
• Write an article for our bi-monthly newsletter
• Visit USF, UT, or HCC to recruit tutors:  talk to classes, hang up posters

 

Don’t Have Time to Volunteer?

Support the Literacy Council by becoming a Member.  Your $25 annual membership dues help to cover the cost of training a tutor or supplying materials to our adult students.  A $100 donation will cover the cost of 8 student books, and $1000 will pay for the entire student publication called Visions.  Donate more than $50 and receive a free HLC gift (please write on your check that you would like a free gift).  Send a check to our office:

 

Hillsborough Literacy Council

John F. Germany Library

900 North Ashely Drive

Tampa, FL 33602