To train and equip volunteer tutors to work with English speaking functionally illiterate adults on a one-to-one basis.

Description:
The Contra Costa County Library's adult literacy program, Project Second Chance, is a free, confidential service to English-speaking adults who need to improve their reading, writing, and spelling skills, in order to function in their workplace and community. On a more personal level, these adults have not experienced the joy and value of reading for themselves or with the young children in their family. It is the intention of the program to help them set realistic reading goals that will help them succeed in many areas of their life, such as: taking a written driver license exam, reading directions on a prescription, taking and sending notes, helping children with homework, getting a job or a promotion, voting for the first time, preparing for GED or citizenship tests.
Volunteer tutors are trained in the use of methods and materials devoted to this mission and meet one-on-one with students in libraries, churches or other public places. They meet twice a week for 1 and 1/2 hours each time. Tutors must be at least 21 years of age and are asked to make a 1 year commitment to the program.

PSC offers three basic 14-hour tutor training workshop series each year and dates may be found on the website:
ccclib.org/psc or by calling 925-927-3250.

History:
Project Second Chance (PSC) is one of the original 27 library-based adult literacy programs funded in 1984 by the California State Library. Since PSC began, PSC tutors have volunteered more than 305,500 hours to helping adults learn to read. PSC has served over 4,200 students to date, and has trained more than 2,800 volunteer tutors. Project Second Chance is a certified United Way of the Bay Area agency. PSC is supported by a non-profit fund raising board, PSC, Inc. which solicits donations and has established an endowment fund for donations directed from trusts and family endowments. Other donations are accepted to provide print and software materials for adults learning to read. Donated funds are alloted to PSC by PSC, Inc. to provide direct service to the students and tutors in the adult literacy program in the form of the above-mentioned materials, as well as tutor training, workshops, book clubs, and student and tutor support.

Contact people:

Laura Seaholm, Pleasant Hill Director, (phone), (email) Karin Madura-Carroll, Antioch Director, (phone), (email) Sharon Herrera, Office Manager, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (925) 646-6461

Address:

75 Santa Barbara Road Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.ccclib.org/psc

Directions:

From Highway 680 northbound take Treat Blvd. exit and turn left at signal. Cross over freeway and turn right onto N.Main Street. Continue on N. Main, past Black Angus restaurant and get into the left turn lane that. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Pleasant Hill BART,   Walk distance (in minutes): 30   Nearest Bus Stop: County Connection #109, 5 minute walk