About Literacy Volunteers of Atlanta

LVA’s Founders Were Determined to Help Non-Reading Adults in metro Atlanta

Literacy Volunteers of Atlanta (LVA) was founded in 1986 by 19 volunteers committed to helping adult metro Atlantans who are eager to raise their literacy abilities. Based on the premise that well-trained and supported volunteers can be effective tutors, LVA is the only organization in metro Atlanta that provides one-on-one tutoring at no cost to our students in our service area, which encompasses all of Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb and Gwinnett counties.

Our target population is made up of adults 18 and older who read at Level I, the lowest of five levels described by the U.S. Department of Education in According to a recent survey, the National Adult Literacy Survey (NALS), 17% of Georgia’s population lacks basic prose literacy skills. This includes individuals who scored “Below Basic” in prose and those who could not be tested due to language barriers.

Basic Literacy class

That is a daunting statistic, but thanks to our dedicated staff and volunteer tutors, LVA has enabled over 10,000 thousand low-literate Atlantans to become more productive, self-sufficient and confident. Our unique, individual tutoring method focuses on teaching reading for meaning, comprehension and real-life situations to adult learners.

To become an LVA volunteer:

Our Programs and Credentials

In addition to Adult Basic Literacy, LVA provides help with English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Family Literacy, and Workplace Literacy. We also provide classes in areas such as basic and intermediate literacy, spelling, math, entry level computer skills and more.

LVA is one of over 1,200 certified ProLiteracy Worldwide organizations, and we must meet strict educational and accountability guidelines on an annual basis. For tax-deductible purposes, we are a charitable 501(c)(3) organization.

Why Should You Help Fight Low Literacy?

If you want to be certain your volunteer time and/or financial support is actually helping a struggling metro Atlantan dramatically improve his or her life — LVA is for you.

Because we never charge students for our services, we need funds to cover everything from rent and learning computers … to books for our library and tutor training materials.

Less than 20% of our operating budget comes from grants, so we depend on caring individuals for all the rest. To share a little of your good fortune with metro Atlantans eager to learn, please donate now.

LVA Computer Lab

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Our Mission

LVA’s mission is to increase adult and family literacy primarily through volunteer tutoring. Our goal is nothing less than to provide all of the literacy skills crucial for more productive, prosperous and confident lives, thus improving the quality of life of all Georgians. We strive to provide a quality education in a supportive yet challenging learning environment that allows for individualized, self-paced instruction. Through our services, every adult learner will develop the basic skills necessary to be successful in the workforce, strengthen family relationships, and participate in society.

LVA Staff Meeting

LVA’s Vision

Our vision is to enhance the lives of individuals in the family, the workforce, and the community through the power of literacy.

Our Philosophy

It is LVA’s belief that learning is a life-long process. We are dedicated to recognizing and developing the potential of each student in our program. Our student-centered, grassroots, and self-paced approach to learning enables adult learners to reach their personal literacy goals. LVA does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, or creed.

Collaborations/Partnerships

LVA collaborates with other service agencies and develops partnerships in a effort to better serve those in need. We collaborate with local agencies that provide employment services to assist our clients who are seeking work and provide literacy services to those clients.

We work with other adult literacy and education programs to ensure that our students with higher literacy levels will reach their personal literacy and education goals. We have developed formal partnerships with Raksha, Culture Connect, Refugee Resettlement and immigration Services of Atlanta, A&D Linens, and the DeKalb County Public Library to provide English literacy services to non-native English speakers within our community.

With the City of Decatur Housing Authority, we have formal agreement to provide Family, Basic and English Literacy services to their residents. Collaboration is essential to building strong community relationships and providing the highest quality, comprehensive services to adults and families who are most in need of assistance.

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LVA Staff

To reach any staff member by phone, call 404-377-7323.

Name Position Email
Victoria Kingsland Executive Director vkingsland at lvama.org
Aaron Hampton Operations Manager operationslva at lvama.org
Michelle Holmes Basic Literacy Program Manager assessment at lvama.org
Keith Lokey ESOL and Workplace Program Manager klokey at lvama.org
Kimberly Blackmon Citizenship Program Coordinator communications at lvama.org
Angela Green Lead Teacher for Basic Literacy agreen at lvama.org

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Board of Directors

* Denotes Committee Chair

Officers

Portis-Jones, Hattie
President
Morehouse School of Medicine
Committees: *Executive, Agency Image/Public Relations, Budget & Finance
Joined: 2006
Wallace, Elizabeth H. (Betsy)
Vice President
NeighborWorks America
Management Consultant
Committees: *Board Development, Executive, Program Evaluation, Strategic Planning
Joined: 2008
Johnson, Louisa
Secretary
Seyfarth Shaw, LLP
Committees: Executive, Personnel, Strategic Planning
Joined: 2009
Griggs, Judy
Treasurer
Speedwell Consultants, Inc.
Committees: *Budget & Finance, *Technology, Executive
Joined: 2010

Members

Baratta, Maria
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Joined: 2011
Brown, Jany, CFP
UBS Financial Services Inc.
Committees: *Fundraising, Board Development, Executive, Strategic Planning
Joined: 2005
Glover, Deirdra
The North Highland Company
Committees: Strategic Planning, Technology
Joined: 2010
Halkos, Elizabeth
Vice President - Sales & Marketing
Purchasing Power
Committees: *Agency Image/Public Relations, Fundraising
Joined: 2010
Handler, Jeffrey (Jeff)
UPS Capital
Committees: Fundraising
Joined: 2010
Harper, Rosetta
Student Representative
Committees: Program Evaluation, Support
Joined: 2006
Hilton, Cathy
UPS Capital
Committees: *By-Laws, Budget & Finance, Personnel
Joined: 2006
Hitchcock, Susan
Turknett Leadership Group
Committees: Board Development, Fundraising
Joined: 2008
Kennedy, Lisa
Bobby Dodd Institute
Committees: Fundraising
Joined: 2007
King, Ruth
ProfitabilityChannel.com
Committees: Budget & Finance, Fundraising
Joined: 2010
Langer, Susan
The North Highland Company
Committees: *Strategic Planning, Fundraising
Joined: 2010
Mitchell, Perry
Creative Director/Ad Agency Partner, Retired
Committees: *Personnel, Agency Image/Public Relations, Fundraising
Joined: 2010
Mote, Linda
Retired, Barnes & Noble
Committees: By-Laws, Personnel, Support
Joined: 2007
Tooke, Vincent
Georgia Power
Committees: Program Evaluation, Technology
Joined: 2010
Wesley, Beverly
President, The Wesley Group
Committees: Agency Image/Public Relations, Fundraising
Joined: 2006

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Our Current Newsletter

View our current newsletter (pdf)

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Intern/College Class Opportunities

LVA is often in need of interns on a year-around basis. This is an excellent way for high school and/or college students to earn their community service credits. We are also available to partner with college classes — particularly within Education departments — whose professors want their students to gain real-world experience in teaching literacy.

For more information, please contact:

  • Aaron Hampton, Operations Manager
  • operationslva at lvama.org
  • 404-377-7323