Volunteer Organization to Celebrate 30 Years

The organization serves more than 250 people throughout the county who are just looking for help learning to read.

And now, the is celebrating 30 years in existence.

“The overall goal of the organization is to guide individuals to be more independent and self-sufficient, and to become functionally literate in order to experience a better life in both personal and business environments,” said Alan Karmin, executive director of the organization.

Literacy Volunteers has a goal of promoting literacy in adults through student-centered tutoring, according to the website. It provides free, one-to-one and small group tutoring to illiterate adults.

Tutors are trained in Basic literacy and English for Speakers of Other languages. According to the website, the organization not only helps people to read, but to write, listen and speak as well.

Karmin said the organization currently has 200 volunteers and works with more than 250 students.

“We always have at least 100 people on the waiting list to be matched with a tutor,” he said.

And with the celebration of 30 years, Karmin said, the organization is holding a special musical performance at the April 30.

“Join us to celebrate our 30th anniversary with good food, great live entertainment and a tricky tray with lots of prizes,” he said. “We will also be honoring our history, specifically the ex-presidents of the organization.”

The live music, Karmin said, will be provided by George Stass, John Croce, the group Decades and Michele Karmin.

As for Literacy Volunteers itself, to advertise the organization Karmin said, they give out forms to local libraries, who pass them on to those in need. And, he said, they post fliers on workforce investment boards.

But for the most part, Karmin said, people usually find out about the organization through its website.

And the Literacy Volunteers, Karmin said, runs entirely on donations.

“It gets support strictly through private donations of individuals, corporations and private family foundations,” he said. “We also have programs for the donation of used clothing, used cars and cash for gold.”

For more information about Literacy Volunteers, and to volunteer, visit the website at literacysomerset.org or send an email to info@literacysomerset.org.

Reservations for the musical performances on April 30 are requested, and more information can be found on the website.