The objective of this organization is to promote adult literacy in the community through student-centered tutoring. The Literacy Volunteers provide free one-to-one and small group tutoring for functionally illiterate adults by pairing them with tutors who have been trained to teach both basic literacy and English as a second language. The tutors teach reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

The organization, which was started in 1981, is an accredited affiliate of ProLiteracy America, a nonprofit organization that promotes literacy through a network of community volunteer programs.

The Literacy Volunteers hold an annual fundraiser to provide support for the group. The money raised pays for tutor training, supplies, student assessments, tutoring services, administration, ongoing programs and new initiatives. Literacy Volunteers is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, and relies on private contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations and organizations.