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Did you know that there is a nonprofit agency in town that will provide adults with a carefully matched private tutor to help them with reading skills or teach them English as a Second Language absolutely free of charge? All pertinent written materials, workbooks and books, are also included at no cost. The Lubbock Area Coalition For Literacy is a non-profit, education and human services organization which provides adult basic education (reading), English as a Second Language (ESL), pre-GED and family literacy programs to anyone residing in the South Plains area. The Literacy Coalition also offers five adult literacy classes with paid classroom instructors. Both day and evening classes are held at Mahon Library, Patterson Library, and Harwell Neighborhood Center.

Literacy Coalition classes offer open enrollment, meaning students can enroll at any time at their convenience, without waiting for a new semester to begin. They provide individual volunteer tutors for those wanting additional assistance, or those who are not able to attend a scheduled class, or for those who prefer the individual attention to work toward a specific goal. The National Institute for Literacy reported in 1998 that at least 18% of the City of Lubbock and 54,000 in Lubbock County’s adult population functions at Level 1 literacy, the most basic level. The same report documents that 60% of adults in Lubbock with income below the poverty level have not finished high school and will require a GED in order to improve their circumstances. They need your help to begin a new life, and in many cases, break out of the cycle of poverty.

Do you enjoy reading to your children and grandchildren? Additionally, the Literacy Coalition offers family literacy reading programs to children living in certain areas of town. Specifically, they provide books and volunteers to manage weekly programs at Guadalupe and Parkway Neighborhood Centers. Other programs supported by the Literacy Coalition include Tiny Tots Read A Lot in conjunction with the Parenting Cottage, and Share a Book with a Child held at libraries across the city. These programs teach parents how to read to their children, instill a love of reading in the kids, and give books to families to start a home library.

The Lubbock Area Coalition for Literacy’s offices are on the second floor of Mahon Library. They would be happy to discuss volunteer opportunities with you, or train you to be a literacy tutor. As with so many volunteer “jobs”, tutors begin tutoring to give help to someone else, but they all report that they get more than they give. Changing lives through the gift of literacy is truly a fulfilling experience. 

OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

LUBBOCK FIRE DEPARTMENT has again been funded by the city to purchase smoke and CO detectors--and RSVP is looking for a few more good men and women to go in teams of three to install them. Training, materials and mileage reimbursement will be provided. Part of our program is to educate the homeowner about fire safety. Two members of the team will assess the home and install the detectors while a third member discusses the pamphlets and information. 
Many of these recipients will be senior citizens who have not been able to purchase the detectors themselves. Please call the RSVP office, 742-2423, for more information or to say you would like to help. Great couples job! 


BIG BROTHERS-BIG SISTERS, 1706 23rd St, Suite 102, would appreciate volunteers both in their offices and in your local elementary school. Office administrative and clerical duties would include answering phones, filing, and staff support. Some basic computer skills may be helpful, but not necessary. Morning or afternoon opportunities are available according to your schedule and flexibility.
The Big Brothers-Big Sisters Senior Mentor – School-Based Programs are seeking positive and caring adults who would like to make a difference in a child’s life by becoming a friend and mentor. Children enrolled in the program are between the ages of 5-15 and are from single parent and non-traditional homes. Volunteers in the school-based program will mentor students during their lunch period by socializing, reading books or playing games in the school they attend. This program only requires a small amount of your time each week, but could be so valuable to a child who needs a little extra attention.

To volunteer, or for more information about these or other volunteer positions, please call the RSVP office at 742-2423.

HOW do I join RSVP?
Becoming a member of RSVP is simple as long as you are at least 55 and have some time to volunteer. Just call the office at 742-2423 and chat with Ronda Casey or Bonne Phillips about your interests. If you are not certain what you would like to do, we can mention several current volunteer opportunities and send you a list of the sort of jobs which RSVP members are presently doing to whet your appetite. If you have a special skill or talent that you would like to utilize, we will search to find just the right job for you. Just mail in the enrollment form (requires Adobe Reader) and we will call you!