"When you can't read it's like being a blind man. You have to trust people with everything."

— LVL student

History of Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry

 

Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry (originally known as Beaufort County Literacy Association) had its beginning in 1973-74 when sisters of the Roman Catholic order of Christian Doctrine began working with children on St. Helena Island. In 1977 CETA funded an adult literacy program in our county for that academic year. A full-time director was employed, and eight CETA workers assisted her. Tutoring of elementary children continued on St. Helena as part of the volunteer organization of BCLA. In 1980, literacy funds were made available to BCLA from the State Department of Adult Education. In 1986, Beaufort County was targeted as one several areas to pilot the Adult Reading Campaign of the State Department of Education. Also that year, ABC television and the Public Broadcasting System co-sponsored a national awareness campaign that brought illiteracy out of the shadows and into the public eye. Since that time, a tremendous number of volunteers have offered their time and energy, and hundreds of adults have asked for help in improving their reading, writing, math and English skills. 
 
In May 2000, Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. Board of Directors announced that Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry was one of the first affiliates to complete the LVA Accreditation Initiative, a comprehensive program of quality and accountability standards. Conferred for the period of 2000 through 2002, the Accreditation Award is evidence that LVL meets the highest standards on the areas of organization, finance, personnel and program management. LVL was awarded re-accreditation in 2004. In 2004, LVL was recognized by the Hilton Head Bluffton Chamber of Commerce as the Outstanding Organization of 2003 and was the recipient of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2004 Civitas Award for “contributing to the economic prosperity and quality of life in (the) community.” In 2006, LVL opened a English literacy program in Hardeeville and entered into a collaborative agreement with Jasper Hampton Adult Education. In 2008, LVL moved its headquarters to Bluffton and opened a Bluffton Learning Center, thereby creating three full-service LVL locations in Beaufort County.
 
Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry is presently funded by United Way of Beaufort, the South Carolina Department of Adult Education, and by donations from civic organizations, churches, and individual donors.

 

Literacy Changes Lives!