Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts (LVM) promotes literacy skills that empower adults to realize their goals.

LVM is comprised of 12 independent affiliate organizations throughout Massachusetts that each furthers our mission through volunteer-based literacy instruction.

Our tutor/student relationships each reflect the core values of LVM: confidential, student-centered instruction provided at no cost to the student.

We are committed to reach more adults in need of literacy by growing our affiliate network, encouraging more students and tutors to participate, and investing our public and private funding efficiently in our operations.

Description:
Established in 1972, LVM trains volunteer tutors to provide free, confidential and individualized tutoring to adults in basic reading and writing, and English as a Second Language (ESOL). LVM is the premier volunteer literacy organization in the state, managing nearly 1000 tutor/student pairs per year through its network of 12 local affiliate programs in Massachusetts.

LVM specializes in teaching adults whose literacy skills are below the 6th grade level or who have limited conversational English skills, especially those who cannot or will not attend classes due to fear, embarrassment, past failure in school, or difficulties with child care, transportation or scheduling.

LVM strives to teach adults to read, write, speak and comprehend English well enough to meet individual goals and responsibilities in everyday living situations as a family member, community member, consumer and worker.

Adults specifically choose LVM because LVM's services are accessible, individualized, private, confidential, flexibly scheduled and free. They have described LVM as their "best chance" and often the only program that would take them.

After training, Boston area volunteers can tutor basic literacy through the LVM-Boston program, or they can tutor basic literacy or ESOL to adults at Boston area shelters (the Women's Lunch Place, Casa Myrna Vasquez and St. Francis House) through LVM's Project Lighthouse.

LVM's other affiliates are located in Athol, Fitchburg, Framingham, Lowell, Norwood, Pittsfield, Quincy, Southbridge, Stoughton and Worcester.

LVM is affiliated with ProLiteracy America.

History:
LVM has been providing high quality services to adults students in Massachusetts since 1972, and is widely recognized for its expertise in training volunteers to tutor basic literacy and ESOL. LVM has been chosen by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Boston Adult Literacy Initiative, Boston University and the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Center to help design programs and train tutors. Boston University, Western New England College and Worcester State College have all granted college credit to individuals completing LVM's tutor training and subsequently tutoring.

In 1998, LVM was competitively selected as one of 100 charities included in the first issue of the distinguished "Catalogue of Philanthropy". In 1999, LVM was selected as the recipient of the Ad Club of Greater Boston's Public Service Campaign Award. The campaign was honored for creative excellent with two prestigious Hatch Awards.

LVM staff has received awards for exemplary service from the Massachusetts Literacy Foundation, the New England Branch of the Orton Dyslexia Society, the Boston Jaycees, the Women's National book Association, Rotary International and the Massachusetts Reading Association. LVM students and volunteers have been honored by multiple times by the Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Education. LVM's Executive Director received an honorary doctorate from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in recognition of her achievements in adult literacy.

All LVM affiliates have received accreditation from ProLiteracy under the first and only accreditation system of its kind. Endorsed at its inception by the National Institute for Literacy, accreditation demands adherence to rigorous standards and monitors compliance in administration, management, program services, instructional services and tutor training.

Contact person: Catherine Ward, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: 617-367-8894

Address:

15 Court Square, Suite 540 Boston, MA 02108 (See a map)

Directions:

From Government Center T stop on Green Line, walk down Court Street (Starbucks on corner) and take second right onto Court Square. We are at 15 Court Square, suite 540.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Government Center,   Walk distance (in minutes): 2 For maps or information, please see http://www.mbta.com