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. There are over 800,000 adults in the metro Atlanta area who can't read on the fifth grade level.
That is a daunting statistic, but thanks to our dedicated staff and volunteer tutors, LVA has enabled over 12,000 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:
- Complete our LVA Volunteer Application (.doc) and fax or mail it to LVA,
- or simply contact us.
Our Programs and Credentials
In addition to Adult Basic Literacy, LVA provides help with English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Citizenship Programs, 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. In fact, we are the only accredited ProLiteracy organization in Georgia, 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.
To share a little of your good fortune with metro Atlantans eager to learn, please donate now.
Victoria Kingsland with Ruth Colvin, Founder of Literacy Volunteers of America (now ProLiteracy), and recipient of Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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’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:
- US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS)
- Raksha
- Culture Connect
- Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta (RRISA)
- A&D Linens
- Technical College System of Georgia
- DeKalb County Public Library
- DeKalb County Parks and Recreation
- Fulton County Housing and Human Services
- Dollar General Foundation
- City of Decatur
…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. We also have formal agreements with Georgia Piedmont Technical College/Doraville Campus and Lanier Technical College/North Fulton Campus.
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.
LVA Staff
To reach any staff member by phone, call 404-377-7323.
| Name | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria Kingsland | Executive Director | vkingsland at lvama.org |
| Angela Green | Basic Literacy/Workplace Program Manager | assessment at lvama.org |
| Kim Lyons | ESL/Citizenship/Family Literacy | communications at lvama.org |
| Colleen Phelan | Basic Literacy Lead Teacher | lvacphelan at gmail.com |
| Terry Hollis | ESL/Citizenship Lead Teacher | thollislva at gmail.com |
| Dena Mellick | Communications/Social Media Coordinator | volunteers at lvama.org |
Board of Directors
* Denotes Committee Chair
Officers
- Mote, Linda
- President
- Retired, Barnes & Noble
- Committees: Intake
- Joined: 2007
- Wallace, Elizabeth H. (Betsy)
- Vice President
- NeighborWorks America
- Committees: Executive, *Board development, Program Evaluation
- Joined: 2008
Members
- Baratta, Maria
- Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, LLP
- Committees: TBD
- Joined: 2011
- Glover, Deirdra
- The North Highland Company
- Committees: Strategic Planning, Technology
- Joined: 2010
- Handler, Jeff
- Attorney, UPS Capital
- Committee: Fundraising
- Joined: 2010
- Harper, Rosetta
- Student Representative
- Committees: Support, Program, Evaluation
- Joined: 2006
- Kennedy, Lisa
- Georgia Conservancy
- Committees: Fundraising
- Joined: 2007
- Langer, Susan
- The North Highland Company
- Committees: *Strategic Planning, Fundraising
- Joined: 2010
- Mitchell, Perry Mitchell
- Retired, Advertising
- Committees: Public Relations, Fundraising
- Joined: 2010
Our Current Newsletter
View our current newsletter (pdf)
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:
- Kim Lyons
- communications at lvama.org
- 404-377-7323