Attendees at the Twin Lakes Literacy Council open house on Tuesday represented a broad slice of the area with a common interest–seeing the expanded facilities and sharing the bond of their vision of “Each One, Teach One.”
The open house was an opportunity to view and celebrate the Literacy Council’s expansion by 1,000 square feet at 1318 Bradley Drive #14.
Director Nancy Tester says the expansion allows for better delivery of the Literacy Council’s services, providing expanded private work areas often shared previously. Tester says the often shared cramped space prior to the expansion left many adult learners embarrassed and children distracted. With limited space prior to the expansion, only eight tutoring couples could be accommodated at any one time.
The new area provides eight new private spaces partially funded with General Improvement Funds secured by local Senator Scott Flippo and State Representative Nelda Speaks and others who donated time and money.
In addition to local officials, a number of community members stepped forward to make the expansion possible, including Barbara Skeffington, whose contribution will cover the rent for several months.
Listen:
Skeffington, who retired here from Minnesota about 20 years ago, has long supported the Twin Lakes Literacy Council.
Listen:
In its annual report for 2016-17, the Literacy Council notes 91 volunteers provided free tutoring in reading, math, language and computer skills to 192 people. Those numbers translated into 7,547 volunteer hours.
Independent Sector estimates the time given by the tutors at $19.66 per hour, a donation of just over $128,000 to Baxter County.
Of those served in the past year, 133 were adults and 59 were children.
The Literacy Council tutors four different areas in reading, math, language and reading skills.
One of the English as a Second Language classes will be able to return to the building after having to be held off-site.
For more information call 870-425-7323.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI