BECOME A LITERACY VOLUNTEER
As a literacy volunteer, you will have the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of others by empowering them through literacy skills. You will join a community of passionate individuals who are committed to helping others achieve their goals, and you'll gain personal satisfaction from knowing that you're making a difference in the lives of those around you.
NO PRIOR TEACHING EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!
Please Help Someone Learn English
LVSSC trains and supports community volunteers to be effective teachers of English as either classroom Instructors or one-on-one tutors.
Real-life communication is stressed in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) with attention to the student's speaking skills and their ability to listen and understand. Progress is measured by increased life skills and reaching personal goals.
Basic Literacy students learn to read and write using training materials appropriate for their skill level and everyday reading materials such as newspapers. A flexible approach to tutoring is designed to help individual learners in a manner appropriate to their learning styles, goals, and literacy proficiencies.
Become a volunteer today and complete the Volunteer Profile form:
New Tutor & Classroom Instructor Training
By the Numbers
449
ACTIVE STUDENTS
204
ACTIVE TUTORS
208
STUDENTS WAITING
27
FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Training Locations
State College of Florida
Manatee - Sarasota
8000 S Tamiami Trail
Venice, FL 34293
2025 Dates & Times
2025
November 12th & 14th
2026
January 13th & 16th
March 10th & 13th
May 12th & 15th
July 14th & 17th
September 15th & 18th
November 10th & 13th
ALL CLASSES:
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Change Lives Through Literacy
We are a member of ProLiteracy, a national non-profit organization. We believe that the ability to speak, read, and write English is critical to achieving personal freedom, enhancing personal economic well-being, and fostering a democratic society. Our focus is to help adult residents of South Sarasota County improve their abilities to speak, read, and write English at no charge to them and with their privacy respected at all times.
If you can read, write, speak English, and have the ability to be flexible and patient with an adult learner, you can become a trained tutor.
Prior teaching experience or knowledge of a language other than English is not required.
By the Numbers
449
ACTIVE STUDENTS
204
ACTIVE TUTORS
208
STUDENTS WAITING
27
FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Common Questions
You can choose how you wish to contribute! We have on-going needs in the following areas:
-
Classroom Learning
-
Student Chats
-
Literacy Tutoring Services
-
Online Learning Coaching
-
Other opportunities are available depending on your talents and interests
-
New volunteers ask, "How much time is required?"
There is no set time requirement to become a Literacy volunteer. Most of our volunteers donate 2 to 3 hours per week.
Volunteers set up a schedule that works for them to meet with their adult learners in a public place…usually one of the South Sarasota County or the State College of Florida in Venice.
Online reporting makes it easy for tutors to report their volunteer hours and their student's achievements.
We offer in-person training throughout the year which is designed to provide you with strategies to help you become an effective Literacy volunteer. Training includes valuable background information on our organization and uses an interactive approach to learning. Sharing ideas and hands-on activities make this training both fun and educational. Ongoing training and support are offered through our tutor mentor program, networking socials, Tutor Chats on Zoom, the LVSSC Facebook group, and Volunteer Online Resources.
Make a Difference in Someone's Life and Enjoy These Benefits!
Fun & Engaging Training
Scheduling Flexibility
On-Going Support
Meet New People & Make New Friends!
Common Questions
You can choose how you wish to contribute! We have on-going needs in the following areas:
-
Classroom Learning
-
Student Chats
-
Literacy Tutoring Services
-
Online Learning Coaching
-
Other opportunities are available depending on your talents and interests
-
New volunteers ask, "How much time is required?"
There is no set time requirement to become a Literacy volunteer. Most of our volunteers donate 2 to 3 hours per week.
Volunteers set up a schedule that works for them to meet with their adult learners online or in a public place…usually one of the South Sarasota County or the State College of Florida in Venice.
Online reporting makes it easy for tutors to report their volunteer hours and their student's achievements.
We offer in-person training throughout the year which is designed to provide you with strategies to help you become an effective Literacy volunteer. Training includes valuable background information on our organization and uses an interactive approach to learning. Sharing ideas and hands-on activities make this training both fun and educational. Ongoing training and support are offered through our tutor mentor program, networking networking socials, Tutor Chats on Zoom, the LVSSC Facebook group, and Volunteer Online Resources.
Meet Our Students
Our students disproportionately come from places plagued with chronic dysfunction:
Crime. Poverty. Limited Freedom. War. Corruption.
Some of the ‘Troubled Countries’ represented from our student intake include Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Venezuela, Russia, and Ukraine.
are RUSSIAN, UKRAINIAN, and HISPANIC.
OF STUDENTS
80%
are HIGHLY MOTIVATED
and DISCIPLINED.
MOTIVATED
100%
MIDDLE-AGED people make up most of our student profile and 62% LIVE IN THE NORTH PORT AREA.
MIDDLE-AGED
62%
They are EDUCATED. 90% are high school graduates from their home countries and many have college degrees.
EDUCATED
90%
FEMALE
70%
They are MAINLY IMMIGRANTS with 70% being FEMALE because their husbands work.
