Did you know in Buncombe County that 24% of Asheville city adults and 18% of Buncombe County adults are estimated to be at the lowest level of literacy? Get involved!

Through one-on-one and small group instruction provided by trained volunteers, the literacy council has been making a difference in our community since 1987.  Our mission is to improve adult education and English language skills to help each individual reach their full potential as individuals, parents, workers, and citizens.  Last year alone, the Literacy Council served 360 adults in Asheville and Buncombe County.

In addition to serving local adults in literacy education, the literacy council will begin a Drop-Out Prevention Program in partnership with Asheville City Schools.  For society as a whole, helping young people stay in and complete high school is a worthwhile objective.  Dropouts typically earn $9,000 per year less than graduates.  The economic consequences of dropping out may continue to worsen as jobs for low-skilled workers diminish in this economy.  Dropouts contribute only half as much in taxes as high school graduates.  They draw larger government subsidies in the form of food stamps, housing assistance and welfare payments.  They have a dramatically increased chance of going to jail, and they have worse health outcomes and lower life expectancies. 

It is the Literacy Council’s goal to reach them as soon as possible rather than setting them up for this downward spiral of economic and social failure that comes with not having a high-school diploma or having low literacy skills. Every student deserves a second chance. And sometimes this kind of individual attention is all it takes.

The Literacy Council is constantly looking for volunteer tutors. We provide full training in both the ESOL program and the Adult Education program and all materials needed! Also, for as little as $1.85 per day, you can sponsor a student at the Literacy Council.  Contact us for further information: literacytutors@litcouncil.com or (828) 254-3442.

EVENTS: This year’s Spelling Bee fundraiser is hosted by the Literacy Council of Buncombe County in conjunction with the American Association of University Women; with all tickets going to area literacy programs. Tickets will be $5.00 at the door and will include entrance to win door prizes donated by a variety of local businesses in Asheville. Come join us at the Laurel Auditorium at 7:00 pm on Thurs., May 28^th and watch some of Asheville’s bravest try their hands at spelling some of the hardest words in the English language!