Western Carolina University

Contact:  

 Tonya Hensley, Executive Director

Mailing Address:  

P.O. Box 2320
Highlands, NC 28741

Phone Number:  

828-526-0863

Secondary Phone Number: 

None.

Fax Number:  

828-526-0066

Email Address:  

highlandsliteracy@live.com

Website Address:  

http://www.highlandsliteracy.com
http://www.facebook.com; search Literacy Council of Highlands, Inc.

Office Hours:  

10:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Thursday

Location:  

Take NC-107 S to Cashiers (about 21 miles).

In Cashiers, turn right onto US-64/US-64W to Highlands (about 10 miles). Turn left onto Main Street, then turn right onto South 5^th Street.  Drive up a hill and the Peggy Crosby Center will be to the left.  The Literacy Council’s offices are at Rooms 217 and 218 in the Peggy Crosby Center.

Agency Description:  

Nearly 51% of Macon County’s adult populace is estimated to have functionally low levels of literacy. Functional illiteracy is the inability to read, write, or speak at a proficiency level that allows an adult to complete basic tasks such as reading a newspaper, finding a street on a map, or filling out a job application or medical information form.

Parents who are unable to read well cannot help their children with homework, understand safety instructions for medications and consumer products, or read a book aloud. In addition, the children of illiterate adults are more than twice as likely as their peers to grow up illiterate, repeating the cycle of despair.

The Literacy Council of Highlands exists to help people gain the communication tools they need to lead more fulfilled, productive lives through programs such as the adult literacy program, after-school tutoring, ESL classes, computer-based learning programs, and a GED program.

Training:  

We will provide training for volunteers to become acquainted and comfortable with the Literacy Council,

its programs, and its protocol.

Time Commitment:  

Time commitments vary based on the volunteer task:

• ESL & reading tutors: two afternoon hours each week.
• ESL early literacy: three hours every Tuesday evening.
• Computer security and efficiency: when the task is complete, the time is complete.

Skills, Experience, and Special Requirements:  

Skills, experience, and special requirements vary among the volunteer tasks:

• Computer security and efficiency: computer competency.
• ESL tutoring, early literacy: knowledge of Spanish language.
• For all volunteers working with children, a background check is required and people skills are a must.

Volunteer Involvement:  

By volunteering at the Literacy Council of Highlands, WCU students will receive hands-on experience.  Whether tutoring someone who needs help or developing a database, volunteers should know they are helping the cause for literacy and the Literacy Council appreciates them!

After all, it takes team work when “Enriching Lives Through Literacy on the Highlands Plateau.”