Literacy Volunteers and Advocates (LVA)

Literacy Volunteers and Advocates (LVA) Helping adults in the District of Columbia improve their reading, writing, math, and life skills. He has lived most of his life as an illiterate.

William West never got the chance to go to school when he was a kid. For years, it affected his emplyoment: numerous times he had to turn down promotions at Popeyes because he wasn’t able to fill out inventory lists and staff schedules. Later, he worked for a gas station where he was paid a few dollars a day to do cleaning, maintenance and landscaping. He knew he was being cheated but since he was

illiterate, he felt he could do nothing about it. Illiteracy affected not only his work but his relationships, as he has had a hard time maintaining good relationships with friends and with his kids (he thinks they are ashamed of him). William has been with LVA on and off for 17 years, but in the last year, William has finally admitted that he was running from his weakness because it was too painful. "I have always been a workahaulic," he said. In 2010, his ability to sound out words has dramatically increased, and he’s met several of his small goals. This year he took the Metro train system for the first time, having gained enough confidence to read the signs at the stations. He also learned to use a computer, memorized his multiplication tables, and what he is most proud of: “I have 20 stories from class at home and I can read all of them.” William’s personal growth and confidence have increased, finally dimming the pain of years of illiteracy, and we keep working with him towards his long-term goal: to be able to walk into the library and pick out any book he likes.

Did you know that you can turn your shoes into a book? I work for a nonprofit organization in DC, Literary Volunteers an...
03/21/2021

Did you know that you can turn your shoes into a book?

I work for a nonprofit organization in DC, Literary Volunteers and Advocates (LVA), and we specialize in teaching adults to read who cannot read.

We are hosting a shoe fundraiser. Here’s how it works. You donate gently worn old shoes and new shoes. We will then give them to organizations throughout the United States and Haiti and those organizations will make a donation to LVA. This will help us to purchase books for our learners.

Our fundraiser begins this week (March 22nd) and will last through May 21st. You can contact me at (301) 283-8843 to arrange the pick up of the shoes.

Thank you so very much! Let’s turn our shoes into books to help someone who’s unable to read!

DC is no small place. Let us remind ourselves that the District is home to roughly 577,303 adults over the age of 18. In...
02/24/2021

DC is no small place. Let us remind ourselves that the District is home to roughly 577,303 adults over the age of 18.

In May 2020, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released findings from a study on literacy rates in DC. Data showed 25% (144,325) of DC adults struggling with basic reading, and 17.4% (100,450) living at or below the poverty line.

These results highlight even more the need for lawmakers and organizations, like LVA, to continue working together in finding solutions to closing the literacy gap.

Can you help us?

Transfer money online in seconds with PayPal money transfer. All you need is an email address.

12/01/2020

As Giving Tuesday is approaching we ask you to consider donating to LVA. shorturl.at/lvAQV

05/25/2020

Happy Memorial Day! Thanking all of our service men and women for there service!

I'm getting counted because I want my family and friends to have all the resources that need to thrive! Why will you o...
05/07/2020

I'm getting counted because I want my family and friends to have all the resources that need to thrive! Why will you on the census!

To the hard working staff at Literacy Volunteers and Advocates, thank you so much for keeping the work alive. Plus one...
04/10/2020

To the hard working staff at Literacy Volunteers and Advocates, thank you so much for keeping the work alive. Plus one Ayanna.

The 2020 census is here! Complete the census now if you want to ensure funding for:📓 Education 🚑 Healthcare🏠 Housing🚌 Pu...
04/02/2020

The 2020 census is here! Complete the census now if you want to ensure funding for:

📓 Education
🚑 Healthcare
🏠 Housing
🚌 Public Transportation

Make sure that we all : 2020census.gov

DC Census is here!!!If everyone participates in the 2020 Census, we can secure better public and private resources for o...
03/10/2020

DC Census is here!!!

If everyone participates in the 2020 Census, we can secure better public and private resources for our community.

Here’s how you can do your part to make sure we :

✔️ Remind your friends and family about the 2020 Census
✔️ Ask your community’s schools and businesses to spread the word
✔️ Like the Census page for accurate, up-to-date, and DC-specific information
✔️ Fill out the Census on as early as possible!

05/07/2019

We are always grateful to have both Robert White At Large and Elissa Silverman for DC Council supporting our efforts to provide adult literacy programming for DC residents.

A tremendous thank you to you both!!!

Yesterday, I had the fortunate pleasure of speaking to a group of students enrolled in the Civicus program at the Univer...
04/09/2019

Yesterday, I had the fortunate pleasure of speaking to a group of students enrolled in the Civicus program at the University of Maryland.

This program teaches students how to become more engaged and active in community service. What an amazing experience sharing about the wonderful work that we do here at Literacy Volunteers and Advocates.

We had a blast!

Kenneth A Parker

Address

635 Edgewood Street NE Ste B
Washington D.C., DC
20017

Telephone

+12026351595

Website

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