Building Leaders through Language

Bringing about a just and vibrant West Michigan through the power of literacy.

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Literacy is More Than Words.

We work alongside immigrants, refugees, and native speakers of English to provide literacy support tailored to meet learner needs and the priorities of our community. All of our programming is offered at no cost to the learner. A key player in workforce development, the Literacy Center also creates paths to citizenship, removes barriers to healthcare, supports returning citizens, and partners with school districts to provide a two-generational approach to literacy.

 

The Power of Persistence

Makarim, an immigrant from Sudan, was determined to further her education and support her growing family. Donors to the Literacy Center helped Makarim persevere through multiple financial setbacks to obtain her license in Medical Administration this June. Her next goal is to get a master's degree, a process she started in Sudan and hopes to continue here. Your support makes Makarim’s story possible.

Give to Support Learners

Join Us in Building a More Literate West Michigan

11
Jun

Online Volunteer Information Session (Jun. 11, 2025 | 12:00pm)

Online Volunteer Information Session

Jun. 11, 2025 | 12:00pm

Join us for this volunteer information session on how to make a positive impact in West Michigan. You will be inspired by the power of adult literacy and the work of one-on-one literacy coaching in our community. You will meet our team, learn about our resources, and hear our learners’ stories. Whether you start today or in the future, it is an opportunity to learn how to make a difference in an adult learner’s life. 

20
Jun

In-Person Volunteer Information Session (Jun. 20, 2025 | 10:00am)

In-Person Volunteer Information Session

Jun. 20, 2025 | 10:00am

Join us for this volunteer information session on how to make a positive impact in West Michigan. You will be inspired by the power of adult literacy and the work of one-on-one literacy coaching in our community. You will meet our team, learn about our resources, and hear our learners’ stories. Whether you start today or in the future, it is an opportunity to learn how to make a difference in an adult learner’s life. 

25
Jun

Online Volunteer Information Session (Jun. 25, 2025 | 6:00pm)

Online Volunteer Information Session

Jun. 25, 2025 | 6:00pm

Join us for this volunteer information session on how to make a positive impact in West Michigan. You will be inspired by the power of adult literacy and the work of one-on-one literacy coaching in our community. You will meet our team, learn about our resources, and hear our learners’ stories. Whether you start today or in the future, it is an opportunity to learn how to make a difference in an adult learner’s life. 

  • 11
    Jun

    Online Volunteer Information Session

  • 20
    Jun

    In-Person Volunteer Information Session

  • 25
    Jun

    Online Volunteer Information Session

  • 2
    Jul

    Online Volunteer Information Session

  • 10
    Jul

    In-Person Volunteer Information Session

  • 18
    Jul

    In-Person Volunteer Information Session

  • 23
    Jul

    In-Person Volunteer Information Session

  • 31
    Jul

    Online Volunteer Information Session

  • 6
    Aug

    In-Person Volunteer Information Session

  • 12
    Aug

    Online Volunteer Information Session

  • 20
    Aug

    Online Volunteer Information Session

  • 28
    Aug

    In-Person Volunteer Information Session

  • 4
    Sep

    Wine & Words 2025

Online Volunteer Information Session

Jun. 11, 2025 | 12:00pm

Join us for this volunteer information session on how to make a positive impact in West Michigan. You will be inspired by the power of adult literacy and the work of one-on-one literacy coaching in our community. You will meet our team, learn about our resources, and hear our learners’ stories. Whether you start today or in the future, it is an opportunity to learn how to make a difference in an adult learner’s life. 

In-Person Volunteer Information Session

Jun. 20, 2025 | 10:00am

Join us for this volunteer information session on how to make a positive impact in West Michigan. You will be inspired by the power of adult literacy and the work of one-on-one literacy coaching in our community. You will meet our team, learn about our resources, and hear our learners’ stories. Whether you start today or in the future, it is an opportunity to learn how to make a difference in an adult learner’s life. 

Online Volunteer Information Session

Jun. 25, 2025 | 6:00pm

Join us for this volunteer information session on how to make a positive impact in West Michigan. You will be inspired by the power of adult literacy and the work of one-on-one literacy coaching in our community. You will meet our team, learn about our resources, and hear our learners’ stories. Whether you start today or in the future, it is an opportunity to learn how to make a difference in an adult learner’s life. 

Online Volunteer Information Session

Jul. 02, 2025 | 12:00pm

Join us for this volunteer information session on how to make a positive impact in West Michigan. You will be inspired by the power of adult literacy and the work of one-on-one literacy coaching in our community. You will meet our team, learn about our resources, and hear our learners’ stories. Whether you start today or in the future, it is an opportunity to learn how to make a difference in an adult learner’s life. 

In-Person Volunteer Information Session

Jul. 10, 2025 | 10:00am

Join us for this volunteer information session on how to make a positive impact in West Michigan. You will be inspired by the power of adult literacy and the work of one-on-one literacy coaching in our community. You will meet our team, learn about our resources, and hear our learners’ stories. Whether you start today or in the future, it is an opportunity to learn how to make a difference in an adult learner’s life. 

In-Person Volunteer Information Session

Jul. 18, 2025 | 10:00am

Join us for this volunteer information session on how to make a positive impact in West Michigan. You will be inspired by the power of adult literacy and the work of one-on-one literacy coaching in our community. You will meet our team, learn about our resources, and hear our learners’ stories. Whether you start today or in the future, it is an opportunity to learn how to make a difference in an adult learner’s life. 

In-Person Volunteer Information Session

Jul. 23, 2025 | 2:00pm

Join us for this volunteer information session on how to make a positive impact in West Michigan. You will be inspired by the power of adult literacy and the work of one-on-one literacy coaching in our community. You will meet our team, learn about our resources, and hear our learners’ stories. Whether you start today or in the future, it is an opportunity to learn how to make a difference in an adult learner’s life. 

Online Volunteer Information Session

Jul. 31, 2025 | 12:00pm

Join us for this volunteer information session on how to make a positive impact in West Michigan. You will be inspired by the power of adult literacy and the work of one-on-one literacy coaching in our community. You will meet our team, learn about our resources, and hear our learners’ stories. Whether you start today or in the future, it is an opportunity to learn how to make a difference in an adult learner’s life. 

In-Person Volunteer Information Session

Aug. 06, 2025 | 4:00pm

Join us for this volunteer information session on how to make a positive impact in West Michigan. You will be inspired by the power of adult literacy and the work of one-on-one literacy coaching in our community. You will meet our team, learn about our resources, and hear our learners’ stories. Whether you start today or in the future, it is an opportunity to learn how to make a difference in an adult learner’s life. 

Online Volunteer Information Session

Aug. 12, 2025 | 6:00pm

Join us for this volunteer information session on how to make a positive impact in West Michigan. You will be inspired by the power of adult literacy and the work of one-on-one literacy coaching in our community. You will meet our team, learn about our resources, and hear our learners’ stories. Whether you start today or in the future, it is an opportunity to learn how to make a difference in an adult learner’s life. 

Online Volunteer Information Session

Aug. 20, 2025 | 12:00pm

Join us for this volunteer information session on how to make a positive impact in West Michigan. You will be inspired by the power of adult literacy and the work of one-on-one literacy coaching in our community. You will meet our team, learn about our resources, and hear our learners’ stories. Whether you start today or in the future, it is an opportunity to learn how to make a difference in an adult learner’s life. 

In-Person Volunteer Information Session

Aug. 28, 2025 | 4:00pm

Join us for this volunteer information session on how to make a positive impact in West Michigan. You will be inspired by the power of adult literacy and the work of one-on-one literacy coaching in our community. You will meet our team, learn about our resources, and hear our learners’ stories. Whether you start today or in the future, it is an opportunity to learn how to make a difference in an adult learner’s life. 

Wine & Words 2025

Sep. 04, 2025 | 6:00pm

Join the Literacy Center and event host Mark Peters under the tent at Lion Rock Manor for Wine & Words on Thursday, September 4, 2025. Guests will enjoy wine and word games while helping to raise the literacy levels of adults in our community. Sponsorships and tickets are available now!

Connect and Contribute as a Literacy Coach.

Become a volunteer literacy coach! You don’t need any special skills to be a literacy coach — just the ability to read and write English, and a passion to help others do the same.

Volunteer as a Literacy Coach