Improving Reading, Writing and Conversational Skills

Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven was the recipient of a 2014 Responsive Grant, jointly funded by VCF and its partner in philanthropy, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.

In the year following that grant, Literacy Volunteers reported a doubling in the number of students in its Valley Program, thanks in part to a partnership developed with BHcare, at its Valley Social Club in Ansonia. The partnership has been so successful, it has been replicated at BHcare's Branford location.

"We continue to seek volunteer tutors in the Valley so that our Basic Literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages programs can reach more adult students," said Executive
Director Donna Violante. "Training and support are provided and the experience is highly rewarding for volunteers, as they witness their students' improvement in reading, writing and
conversational skills."

In 2015, Literacy Volunteers saw a measurable increase in the number of students achieving a four point gain or higher from pre- to post-testing reading level.