PROGRAMS AND CLASSES

Free except for business - see notes

EmployED 

EmployED transforms lives through improved literacy and English language acquisition by providing individuals with the skills needed to be independent adults and/or acquire self-sustaining employment. Each student is provided free tutoring by a compassionate volunteer in a one-on-one or small group environment. Here is a student's story in his own words. 

Students' goals could include, but are not limited to:

  • obtaining employment, a raise, or a promotion

  • pursuing post-secondary education

  • earning professional certifications

  • gaining independent living

  • receiving a High School Equivalency Certificate

The following technology tools and programs are available through Literacy Connection:

  • Laptops and desktop computers are available in our office and study rooms

  • Laptop available for tutors/students to use at the main branch of the Henderson County Public Library

  • Lexia - a computer-based reading program students can use from home or on BRLC laptops

  • Wordly Wise - a computer-based reading program students can use from home or on BRLC laptops

  • Math Coach - a computer-based math program students can use from home or on BRLC laptops

  • Annual technology training for tutors

  • Technology class for students

CITIZENSHIP TUTORING

BRLC offers help in preparing for the United States Citizenship exam. Our Citizenship Program is designed to help beginning and low-intermediate ESOL students who want to apply for citizenship but lack the English skills. Students gain the knowledge and skills they need for the citizenship test while improving their English language skills. Here is the economic impact.

The classes and all materials are free.

Would you consider volunteering with us? We need tutors to eliminate the growing waitlist of students.

AT-RISK YOUTH EDUCATION

Youth 14 to 18 years of age who are at-risk of or already are involved with the Juvenile Court systems are referred by the Department of Juvenile Justice for programming. The Literacy Council’s At-Risk Youth Program has two components: Interactive Journaling Groups, and Remedial Academic Tutoring.

Interactive Journaling is designed to address life and literacy skills in the context of Cognitive Behavior change and Interactive Journaling. Each of the six modules are topic based and specific to juvenile justice involved youth. Each module is 30 days long and cover emotions, communications, and soft-skills development including creating a change plan.

Remedial Academic tutoring is designed to address reading comprehension and math skills in the context of academic improvement and work skills development. Trained volunteers are matched with one to three youth, and tutor them in an academic lab setting. A specific work/life-based literacy curricula is assigned to the youth based on a reading or math comprehension levels. Tutors also support students in understanding and completing school work.  

FAMILY LITERACY

Our Family Literacy program combats the statistic that children of parents with low literacy skills have a 72 percent chance of being at the lowest reading levels themselves. Here is the economic impact.

BRLC utilizes a nationally-recognized evidenced-based curriculum, Abriendo Puertas / Opening Doors, that was developed specifically for the Latino community to increase the success of our largest growing youth population.

The mission of Opening Doors is to “support parents in their roles as family leaders and as their child’s first and most influential teacher in a home that is their child's first school.” Opening Doors' two-generation approach builds parent leadership skills and knowledge to promote family well-being and positive education outcomes for children.

 SENIOR LITERACY

In partnership with the Henderson County Public Library and Council on Aging, this course is taught over 4 sessions to help seniors (65 and older adults) understand how to navigate today's increasingly complex healthcare system. Each session builds upon the previous session.

Topics include:

  • Healthcare Access Points

  • Insurance/Medicare

  • Billing

  • Explanation of Benefits

In Partnership with Carolina Village, BRLC offers a Digital Literacy course to help seniors navigate and understand today's technology. This course helps participants overcome the isolation that stems from a lack of understanding of modern technology.  

Topics covered over the six-week course include:

  • Differences between a laptop and a PC

  • Setting up Email

  • Navigating the internet

  • Online Purchases

  • Using your smartphone

  • Accessing Healthcare Information

  • Risks and Scams

If you are interested in attending one of these workshops, or in volunteering to provide support, please email us at admin@litcouncil.org or call 828.696.3811.

Call to Volunteer