Polk County

Literacy Volunteer Program

Mission

The Polk County Literacy Volunteer Program, LVP, provides literacy consultation and education to adults with low literacy skills. Volunteers tutor students in reading, writing, and English conversation, focusing on life and work skills. Student program eligibility is evaluated using criteria developed by our program staff. Literacy services are dependent on the availability of volunteer tutors.

LVP Fast FAQs

Quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of LVP

WHO

LVP learners are English-speaking adults and non-native English speakers, 18 years or older and not in high school, from varied social and economic backgrounds. Eligible students must be capable of making progress toward a higher level of basic skills within a reasonable length of time. Students with extreme learning problems that are not classed as learning disabilities are not appropriate referrals to the Literacy Volunteer Program.

LVP tutors are adults (18 or older) with a High School Diploma or GED and the language skills necessary to help other adults learn basic English and literacy skills.

WHAT

Volunteers provide small group or individual tutoring and may help students with:

Reading
Writing

Basic math
Pronunciation

Vocabulary
English conversation

Tutor responsibilities include:

Completion of program orientation, pre-service workshop and tutor trainings
Keeping records of time spent tutoring and student progress
Commitment to a consistent weekly schedule

WHERE

Tutoring sessions are held at various locations including:

Chemeketa Campuses
Community Centers
Libraries

Churches
Schools
Other mutually accepted locations

WHEN

Tutoring sessions take place during scheduled class time, or at a time convenient to both tutor and learner. A minimum commitment of 3 hours a week for three to six months, after completion of orientation and trainings, is required.

WHY

Individuals are motivated to become literacy tutors for a variety of reasons. However, as a general rule, LVP volunteer tutors care about improving the quality of life for non-readers and English language learners in our community.

HOW

LVP tutors receive free training designed to equip them to: understand the adult learner; be culturally sensitive; work with different learning and teaching styles; develop various teaching strategies; and become familiar with core and supplemental teaching materials. Non - LVP volunteers may attend the training for a fee.

Becoming a Volunteer Tutor

What characteristics make a successful LVP tutor?

Dependability and promptness
Sensitivity to a student's individual needs
Flexibility and patience
Friendliness and optimism
Acceptance of differences in age, culture, language, socio-economic level and educational background

What benefits do volunteers receive?

Development of tutoring and interpersonal skills
Work experience
An opportunity to explore career possibilities in the field of adult education
Intercultural understanding
The satisfaction of helping others
The opportunity to learn more about "what you thought you knew" about the English language!

How to get started:

The first steps to becoming a volunteer tutor are to complete the orientation and volunteer tutor application. The self-paced orientation is designed to familiarize potential volunteers with the Literacy Volunteer Program and help them answer the question: “Is this the right volunteer opportunity for me?” Orientation is a pre-requisite for all potential volunteers. “Verification of completion” instructions are included.

When you are ready to begin, the orientation is available by clicking on the highlighted text. Please note you will need the most current version of Adobe Reader to open the file. For a free and safe download click here. You can also download a printer friendly version or receive a print copy by contacting the literacy specialist at the Dallas Center.

After you’ve completed the orientation, please complete and return the LVP Volunteer Application Form by simply clicking “submit by e-mail” or you may print and mail to:

Polk County Literacy Volunteer Program Dallas CCC Center 1340 SE Holman Ave. Dallas, OR 97338.

Please feel free to contact the Polk County Literacy Specialist, Linda Kaufmann at 503-316-3282 or kaul@chemeketa.edu if you have further questions.

Updated June 30, 2009 by Lorie Bickford, lbickfor@cp.chemeketa.edu.