The most recent
community needs assessment by the United Way of Gaston County
identified literacy as the top critical need of this community.
According to U.S. Census data, some 39 percent of the adults in
Gaston County do not have a high school diploma; 17 percent have
less than a ninth-grade education. Similarly, the most recent
National Adult Literacy Survey indicated that approximately 21
percent of the county's adult population functions at the lowest
literacy levels.
Many of these individuals left school to pursue jobs in order to
help with family expenses. Some were academically frustrated due to
learning difficulties/disabilities.
Today they are confronted with underemployment, lack of
opportunities and a loss of hope for the future.
You can help change their situation by becoming a volunteer tutor
with Gaston Literacy Council, Inc., a nonprofit United Way of Gaston
County agency, Laubach Literacy Action affiliate, and provisional
affiliate of Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc.
Gaston Literacy Council also offers basic English tutoring for
adult immigrants. The tutoring is accomplished individually or in
small groups.
According to Census data, nearly 5 percent of the county's
population speaks a language other than English in the home or
speaks little or no English. And the number of Hispanics/Latinos,
Asians and East Europeans relocating to this area is likely to
continue to increase.
To find out more about volunteer tutor training and tutoring
opportunities contact Gaston Literacy Council, 116 South Marietta
Street, Gastonia NC 28052, (704) 868-4815.
Many of our students have practical,
realistic goals: learning to read the newspaper; helping a child
with homework; being able to read the Bible; improving their chances
for better employment; or attaining a GED.
