The Literacy Council Gulf Coast mission is “to assist adults and children to acquire the English literacy skills and education necessary to improve their quality of life and enhance the entire community.”

Literacy Council Gulf Coast (LCGC) was formed in 1989 and this year marks our 30th anniversary of providing free instruction for adults in reading and writing, ESL through the Carol DeJoy Moms and Tots® Family Literacy and Kids+ programs, GED preparation tutoring, citizenship classes (thirteen students becoming citizens this year!), financial literacy, and technology literacy for disadvantaged young people.

As of 2014, LCGC has grown to become the largest nonprofit literacy agency in the United States according to ProLiteracy® and serves students in three of the five counties in Southwest Florida. We have expanded our services throughout Lee, Hendry, and Collier Counties to meet the growing need.

In 2018-2019, we served over 2,696 students throughout Southwest Florida. Ninety nine percent of our students surveyed indicated that they reached their personal literacy goals and 100% of our Moms and Tots® graduates have started school average or above average compared to their classmates. The Carol DeJoy Moms & Tots® Family Literacy Program has grown from four moms at one location fifteen years ago to over 1,557 mothers and their children during the 2018-19 school year. As a proud Lee County United Way partner agency, the Council recruits, trains, and assists volunteers who teach learners English literacy. LCGC provides parent-centered literacy services with a team of only two full-time and 10 part-time staff.

During the 2011-2012 school year, the Council formed a partnership with the Lee County School District to offer English language classes to parents of students at Title I schools. This program, named Kids+ Lifelong Learning, grew tremendously from one school during the 2011-2012 school year to twelve. Last year, 904 individuals (751 adults and 153 children) learned English.

The need in our region is great, but we are making strides in serving the communities that make up Southwest Florida. We can’t do it alone, and we thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely Yours,

Susan Holman, President & CEO