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Ozark Literacy Council, Inc.
Our mission statement is "Improving Lives Through Literacy."
Our Four Priorities are:
We Teach People to Read and Write.
We Teach People to Speak English.
We prepare people for U.S. Citizenship.
We Educate the Community About Literacy and Language Issues.
Description:
The need for literacy and language services has never been greater. In Arkansas as a whole, about half the adult population reads at the two lowest proficiency levels, one in five reads at the lowest level. In Washington County just under half read at the two lowest levels and one in five at the lowest level. A look at the 2000 Federal Census reveals that in that year 8,452 Washington County adults reported completing less than the ninth grade in school. More than 4,000 adults reported that they spoke English “not at all” or “poorly.” Others have undoubtedly joined these 12,500 individuals as our community continues to grow.
Literacy and English language instruction are offered at no cost to the students by a paid staff of five and approximately 40 volunteers. Volunteer tutors are matched with a student as a “tutor pair” who work together to develop the student’s reading, writing or English speaking skills. Additionally, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are offered in speaking, writing, pronunciation, American Culture, Civics, Computer Literacy, Health and Nutrition, Financial Literacy Citizenship Preparation and other subjects. A Workplace ESL program tailors the student’s curriculum to his or her specific needs – in order to help them become better employees and more productive members of our community. OLC has helped employees of more than 60 area companies improve their English speaking, reading and writing skills.
History:
Ozark Literacy Council, Inc. (OLC) has been Washington County, Arkansas’ “Learning Resource” for forty three years. Since 1964, OLC has utilized volunteer tutors to help area residents improve their reading and writing skills. For nearly thirty years, OLC has been assisting immigrants to Washington County learn to speak English and prepare for U.S. Citizenship.
OLC has, for four decades, responded to the literacy needs of our community. The program continues to evolve as the area and its population continue to grow and change. From providing tutors for 15 “slow-reading” high school students in 1964, the Council now provides an array of services to area residents who have arrived in northwest Arkansas from 45 different countries. As literacy and language needs continue to change, so will the programming offered by Ozark Literacy Council.
Contact person: Mina Pahebus, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (479) 582-0846
Address:
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2596 Keystone CrossingFayetteville, AR 72703(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.ozarkliteracy.org
Directions:
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From College Avenue (Highway 71B) turn West on Sunbridge Avenue. Turn Right (North) on Keystone Crossing. Second building on the Right.
Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: NA
Nearest Bus Stop: Razorback Transit Sunbridge Ave, 1 minute walk |
| Last updated on November 10, 2009 |
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