Literacy for Life

Literacy for Life, an independent 501(c)(3) agency, is the only program in the Greater Williamsburg Area that provides individualized, one-to-one tutoring for adults in reading, writing, and math, as well as English for speakers of other languages. The program also supports high school completion through the General Educational Development (GED) certificate examination and the External Diploma Program (EDP), an alternative to the GED. Volunteer tutors from the College of William & Mary and the larger community provide instruction at no charge* to learners who score below a 7 on their assessment test. Learners scoring higher than a 7 may enroll in classes taught by trained professionals. Since 2000, approximately 1,100 tutors have contributed more than 40,000 hours of time and provided instruction for more than 1,400 learners. The program also provides English language classes at the worksite for non-English-speaking employees of area businesses.

For our friends, our neighbors, our employees, and for many who provide important services in our community, Literacy for Life opens up new opportunities-to complete high school, to get a promotion at work, or to pass the U.S. citizenship exam. For others, it means a chance to participate in community activities for the first time, to help their children with homework, or to talk to their doctors with new-found confidence.