About
The Literacy Council Gulf CoastOur Mission
What We Stand For
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to helping both adults and children across Southwest Florida strengthen their English language and reading skills. At the Literacy Council Gulf Coast, we believe education should be accessible to everyone—so all of our programs are offered free of charge.
We provide opportunities that open doors to learning, growth and confidence by offering reading and writing support to English Language Learners. Families can take part in our Moms & Tots Family Literacy program, where mothers and their young children learn together, or our Kids + Lifelong Learning program, designed for parents of school aged children. We also bring education directly into the community with work-site literacy programs offered at local gated communities and businesses.
Proudly serving Bonita Springs, San Carlos Park, Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel, and Naples, we are here to ensure that every learner—at every stage of life—has the chance to succeed.
Our Facilities
Our facilities provide a safe, welcoming space for learning. Through inclusive programs, accessible resources, and personalized support, the Literacy Council works to remove barriers and create pathways to knowledge, confidence, and brighter futures.
We are a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization committed to improving English language and reading skills of adults and children throughout Southwest Florida.
our team
Officers
Samantha Sheffield
Chairman
Caitlyn Ford, CPA
CFO/Treasurer
Crista Short
Secretary
Leah Mason, PhD
Executive Director
Board of Directors
Jeremy Fioravanti
Patt Suwyn
Cynthia Hernandez
Jillian Fiora
Elizabeth Lozano
Jennifer Biletnikoff
What We Do
The Literacy Council Gulf Coast is dedicated to helping adults and families improve their English language and reading skills. We train and support more than 100 volunteer tutors who provide one-on-one and group classes—always free of charge. Our goal is to empower students with the skills they need to thrive in their daily lives, careers, and communities.
Programs & Offerings
We provide a wide variety of literacy programs tailored to the needs of our community:
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Moms & Tots Family Literacy – Mothers and their young children learn together, building strong educational foundations.
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Kids + Lifelong Learning – Supporting parents of school aged children to help families succeed together.
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Work-Site Literacy – Organized classes at gated communities and businesses.
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Adult Education – Classes in English conversation, U.S. citizenship preparation, GED readiness, and writing skills.
Our Students
Our students are adults who want to strengthen their English to improve their quality of life, and parents eager to ensure their children are ready to succeed in school. From 2024-2025, we served 2,430 students.
We are proud to serve a richly diverse student body, with learners representing 45 different countries, including nations across South and Central America, Haiti, France, Germany, Albania, Romania, Spain, Lithuania, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, Slovakia, Greece, China, Vietnam, South Korea, and Thailand, among others.
How We’re Funded
Our work is made possible through the generosity of our community. Funding comes from:
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Individual and community contributions
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Private foundation grants
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United Way of Lee County
The Literacy Council Gulf Coast is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. Every contribution helps us continue providing free educational opportunities that change lives.