So many paths to success.

The Kalamazoo Literacy Council (KLC) empowers adults to reach their full potential by improving and strengthening their literacy skills. There are obvious benefits to knowing how to read – whether it’s being able to fill out a job application, read a drug prescription, or help a child with homework. There are also tragic costs for not being able to read – from feeling isolated from the new economy to being unable to read the newspaper for want ads, search the Internet for information, or receive text messages and e-mails that connect us to the world. That is why the KLC is committed to quality literacy education to eliminate these problems and enhance the lives of adults through programs that increase reading, writing and spelling skills.

Our Programs

Adult Tutoring Program: KLC offers free literacy tutoring and free educational materials to adults who have been evaluated by program staff. The organization administers assessments to determine the reading level of students. KLC then matches a trained tutor with an adult student to engage in weekly two-hour tutoring sessions. KLC also administers pre- and post-tests to measure progress toward workforce, educational and personal goals.

Tutor Training Program: KLC provides tutor training for qualified volunteers in the Laubach Method. Presently, the KLC recruits, trains and equips volunteers to tutor adults and has nearly 80 active tutors assisting adults in need of literacy education in the community. The tutors commit to 14 hours of training and a minimum of a year of service.

Adult Literacy Collaborative (ALC) of Kalamazoo County: The ALC is group of adult education, workforce development and literacy agencies that are working to create a conduit for providing comprehensive adult literacy services by establishing a central point for referring services, developing common initiatives, and providing support to local agencies that further the cause of adult literacy. The ALC provides a forum for shaping common goals for adult literacy providers. It also serves as the venue for determining adult literacy priorities, identifying and expanding resources, and aligning services and programs. The KLC convenes this group monthly.

Participating Agencies:

  • Dorothy J. McGinnis Reading Center and Clinic
  • Douglass Community Association
  • Even Start Program
  • Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan
  • Kalamazoo Adult Education
  • Kalamazoo Literacy Council
  • Kalamazoo Public Library Ready to Read Program
  • Specialized Language Development Center
  • Youth Opportunities Unlimited/Michigan Works!

ALC Concept Paper
ALC Directory and Referral Guide

Everyone Needs to Read (ENT-R) Program: ENT-R is a public awareness effort to improve the literacy skills of adults in Kalamazoo County and increase access to literacy services for these adults. ENT-R helps individuals and organizations find information about how to get a tutor or other literacy services through Web, print media, speaking engagements and other means. It also informs the public at large about literacy issues through public media and other promotional vehicles. For more information about KLC programs, please call the administrative office at (269) 382-0490, Ext. 222.

Find out ways you can help the KLC.

Could you or someone you know benefit from our services? Contact us.