Literacy Council Gulf Coast (LCGC) has been improving the English language and reading skills of adults and children for over 30 years.  Usually, students have limited ability to communicate, causing them to avoid getting involved in their community and pursuing job opportunities. One of our students named Kim came to us after living in the states for 25 years. When she first came to the states from Vietnam, she lived in Kentucky to be close to family and attended school to learn English for one year before she started working because she wanted to be independent. Kim always wanted to go back to English classes because her children had trouble understanding her English, and she often worried other people would too, but she never had the time due to her busy schedule.

Literacy Council Gulf Coast offers classes in English language and conversation, preparation for the GED and U.S. Citizenship test, computer literacy, and other focused subject areas. 

When Kim’s work closed temporarily due to COVID-19 she realized she finally had time to take English classes again so, after 25 years in the United States and 25 years since her last English class, she found the Literacy Council Gulf Coast. Kim has been attending classes at the Literacy Council for a couple of months and has already seen major improvements in her literacy skills. More importantly, Kim’s children are excited that they are now able to understand her English and enjoy that she is now able to read their homework. Both of Kim’s children have expressed how proud they are of their mother for going back to learn English!

Help Literacy Council Gulf Coast continue to be a welcoming opportunity for many.

The benefits of education and literacy are undeniable. The benefits become evident when the spotlight focuses on the importance of educating women. Globally, women make up a majority of illiterate adults in every region. They account for 479 million, or two-thirds, of the global adult illiterate population. Literacy Council Gulf Coast has represented 62 countries and has helped almost 2,700 students. Our more than 500 volunteer tutors helped to make this happen for Kim and other students just like her. We offer one-on-one and group classes that are all free of charge.

We need to maintain our services and can with your generosity.

You don’t have to come by yourself, bring the family!  We offer literacy learning for everyone, including Moms and Tots Family Literacy for mothers and their young children and Kids + Lifelong Learning for parents in Title I schools. Additionally, we offer work-site literacy programs at local golf/gated communities. Our program serves residents of Bonita Springs, San Carlos Park, Estero, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral, Sanibel & Naples.

Will you help us Keep Literacy Alive and keep our doors open?

Due to COVID-19, we lost critical funding to support our efforts of educating men and women in SWFL. We are doing everything we can to Keep Literacy Alive in SWFL and to keep our doors open. Will you join us in making this possible?

Studies show that the efforts of literacy programs like ours have a decisive impact on the future. Individuals, families, and communities will see the benefits, particularly for the literate women we are educating today.  Join us!

Donate today! Thank you for your support!