How you can get involved with the NALC.

The Nashville Adult Literacy Council has helped local adults learn to read since 1982. We are a private 501(c)(3) non-

profit organization. The generous contributions from foundations, grants, and private individuals enable us to

serve 1,500 adult learners annually.

The NALC serves adult Americans who are learning to read & write and adult immigrants who are learning English.

1 in 8 Nashville adults reads below a first grade reading level. Most Americans who can’t read or write go to great lengths to hide their struggles, making illiteracy a much larger problem than most of us realize.

Our literacy learners recognize that the ability to read & write affects much of their daily lives. They come to the NALC so they can accomplish everyday tasks. For example:

• Help their child with homework

• Read their mail, the newspaper, or a recipe

• Write a birthday card to their friends

• Fill out a job application

12% of Nashville’s population was born outside of the United States. Some of these people are immigrants wishing to establish permanent or temporary residency here, and others are refugees fleeing persecution they faced in their home country.

Our English learners recognize that the ability to speak English affects much of their daily lives. They come to the NALC so they can accomplish everyday tasks. For example:

•Talk to their children’s teachers

•Interview for a job

•Make a doctor’s appointment

•Order food at a drive-thru

The NALC conducts 25 classes throughout Nashville along with offering two tutoring programs that serve adult

learners in a one-on-one setting.

The NALC instructs low-level readers and low-level English speakers throughout the county. We teach:

•Reading & writing to adult Americans

•English to adult immigrants

•GED preparation to adults at Probation and Parole offices

•Citizenship test preparation to adult immigrants

•Workplace literacy classes tailored to a company’s needs

We also encourage learners to attend conversation clubs and to work independently in our computer lab.

Each year 500 volunteers help us serve learners at the NALC. There are a variety of ways to get involved, but right

now our biggest need is for new volunteer tutors.

The NALC offers two tutoring programs that serve adult learners in a one-on-one setting:•One-on-One Program•Start Now Program

No experience is necessary to become a volunteer tutor. All volunteers are required to attend training regardless of previous experience.

The One-on-One Program and Start Now Program each require a different commitment from volunteers. The following chart outlines what is involved in each of our tutoring programs.

One-on-One Program Start Now Program

When? You set a recurring time to meet when you’re available.

You set one-hour appointments during Start Now hours.

Where? You can tutor at any public location.

You can tutor at our offices in West Nashville and in Antioch.

Who do I help?

You help the same person each time, either a literacy or English learner.

You help a different person each time, both literacy and English learners.

Howoften?

You commit to 2 or 3 hours each week for 6 months.

You sign up to tutor as often as you’re available.

Howinvolved?

NALC staff provides a guide at your first meeting. You are in charge of lesson planning.

A lesson plan prepared by NALC staff will be ready for you each time you tutor.

While teaching is the heart of our program, the NALC has a variety of other volunteer opportunities to serve our basic operating and administrative needs. These opportunities include:

• Board Service• Computer & Technology Support• Event Planning• Fundraising• Graphic Design• Office Administration• Web Design & Maintenance

30 million adult Americans struggle to read each day.Together we can change that. Help us today.

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