Have you ever wondered who the Literacy Council Gulf Coast is and what we do? We would love to tell you a little bit about us! The Literacy Council Gulf Coast is the largest nonprofit, nongovernmental literacy agency. We have been helping students improve their literacy skills since 1989. The Literacy Council Gulf Coast was created in 2011 by a merger between Literacy Volunteers of Lee County and the Literacy Council of Bonita Springs. At the Literacy Council, we train volunteers to offer free one-on-one and group classes are offered, free of charge. We are located in Bonita Springs and serve residents of the Bonita Springs, San Carlos Park, Estero, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral, Sanibel & Naples areas.

We offer three primary programs: Adult Literacy, Worksite Literacy, and Family Literacy. Adult Literacy offers classes in English language and conversation, preparation for the GED and U.S. Citizenship test, computer literacy, and other focused subject areas. Adult Literacy classes incorporate several types of curriculums for English Language Learners. The Worksite Literacy Program is an innovative method that encourages gated communities to invest in their employees and enables the employees to create better opportunities for themselves. Having classes available at the workplace removes barriers that might otherwise prevent the employees from pursuing their education (for example transportation, time, etc.).

Family Literacy includes two programs, the Carol De Joy Moms & Tots Program and the Kids+ Lifelong Learning Initiative. The Moms & Tots Program is dedicated to empowering at-risk mothers through increased literacy and language skills, while also preparing their pre-school-aged children to enter school. This unique program teaches mothers and other caregivers in small groups, helping them improve their English language skills and increase their communication skills. The Kids+ Lifelong Learning Initiative also serves to educate both parent and child. In this class, the parents of older children enrolled in Title One Schools come to the school and receive tutoring. This program enables parents to take a more active role in their child’s education.

We hope this helped you understand what the Literacy Council does. If you would like to learn, you can always visit our website!