The Adult Tutoring Program is the original program of the Literacy Center and remains the backbone of our work. We train volunteer literacy coaches to work one-on-one with learners who want to develop their reading, writing, and/or conversational skills. The pairs meet two hours a week for at least six months and are fully supported by Literacy Center staff members.

This program accomplishes our mission by not only increasing literacy levels, but by strengthening the social fabric of our community. Coaches and learners develop a powerful partnership, often learning through each other’s different life experiences.

The Literacy Center is always seeking volunteers to work alongside adult learners. Learn more about this powerful volunteer opportunity at a volunteer orientation (held four times each month).

English-language classes are available at the Literacy Center for learners who have an interest and availability for classroom learning. These classes, which run 3 days a week for 11-week sessions, include a robust curriculum focused on employment-related skills and US civics. Learners gain the literacy skills they need for advancing, retaining, or gaining employment.

These leveled classes are offered each quarter at the Literacy Center and are taught by highly-trained instructors who have degrees in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

To learn more, contact Marcus Little at mlittle@literacycenterwm.org. 

Research shows that the number one indicator of a child’s success in school is the education level of his or her parents. In our Family Literacy Program, parents learn the English skills they need to support their child’s education.

Our program, a partnership with Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS), Godwin Heights Public Schools (GHPS), Godfrey Lee Public Schools, and Head Start for Kent County, follows a research-based model from the National Center for Families Learning. This model emphasizes giving families the academic and life skills needed to break the generational cycle of low literacy.

Not only do parents receive four hours of English instruction each week, participating families are invited to attend monthly Family Activity Nights. Families share a meal and learn a literacy activity together that they can replicate at home.

To learn more, contact Karrie Roy, Family Literacy Program Director, at kroy@literacycenterwm.org. 

Our Customized Workplace English program partners with employers to provide contextualized English literacy training for employees. By improving employees’ literacy skills in the workplace, employers strengthen company-wide communication and efficiency, increase safety, and reduce employee turnover.

These literacy services are customized to the employer’s requirements. We tailor the content, structure, and scheduling to the specific needs of each employer.

To learn more, contact Marcus Little at mlittle@literacycenterwm.org or (616) 459-5151.