Organization History

The Literacy Volunteer Program (LVP) is the volunteer arm of the Adult Literacy Program, (a grant program) since November 2000. LVP was previously a local affiliate of the Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. From its conception in 1986 until 2000, Lowndes-Valdosta Area Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA 2) worked closely with the library system receiving our first grant monies through that system. Among the stresses that finally caused us to close our doors was the lack of a paid coordinator.

The LVA chapter membership was dropped and the treasury turned over to Valdosta Technical College's foundation. The dollars were earmarked for the new Literacy Volunteer Program. All other supplies were moved from a shared space at the local library to a section of the storefront that houses Adult Literacy Program. The first employee, a part-time GED instructor, put together an advisory board, conducted several tutor trainings The second, was hired to build a volunteer pamphlet which is still being distributed throughout the community. Currently, another part-time GED and ELP instructor is putting volunteer time into pre-testing learners, training tutors, contacting previous volunteers as well as finding new ones, taking LVP information to community affairs and organizations, sending out letters to the ministerial associations in a six-county area, and handling the LVP office.