Mailing Address:           P.O. Box 1977, Round Rock, TX 78680

Physical Address:         1009 N. Georgetown St., Suite A, Round Rock, TX 78664

512-244-8445   512-244-8341 (fax)     email lcwc@flash.net

About Us

Mission

The Literacy Council's mission is to seek and provide the resources and programs necessary for individuals to achieve literacy.

History

The Literacy Council of Williamson County was founded in 1985.  A group of Round Rock Library community volunteers identified a need for basic literacy services for adults.  So, they formed the Literacy Council with the intention of teaching English-speaking adults how to read and write.

In the first year, volunteers tutored 18 adults. Today, over 2,000 adults receive help in Williamson County and parts of N/NW Travis.  Services have also expanded to include tutoring for non-English speakers (ESL) and for dropouts studying to earn a  GED.

In 1990, a partnership with nine Williamson County agencies resulted in the creation of Project: Better Chance.  Project: Better Chance is a correctional education program that provided literacy and GED tutoring for inmates at the county jail, residents at an alcohol and substance abuse center, and adult probationers in Williamson County.

Over the years, the Literacy Council has expanded its services to different communities throughout Williamson County.  Most recently, the Literacy Council implemented two outreach ESL programs in Travis County, one at the Pflugerville Library and another at the Northwest Rural Community Center in Jonestown.

Program Services

Currently, program services are free, except for a one-time $10 registration fee for GED students.  (This is subject to change contingent on annual funding.)

ESL (English as a Second Language)

       English language tutoring for adults whose primary language is not English. Adults learn to speak, read and write English.

Basic Literacy

       English language tutoring for adults whose primary language is English, but are reading below the 6^th grade level.

GED Preparation*

       For adults whose goal is to earn a high school equivalency diploma. Tutoring is available in the five GED subject areas: writing, science,          social  studies, reading and math. (*17 year-olds will need school withdrawal papers and parental permission to enroll in the GED program.)

Program eligibility

The Literacy Council of Williamson County serves:

         Adults, who need help learning to speak, read and/or write English.

         Adults, who dropped out of school, and want to earn their GED.*

To be eligible for services:

       Adults must be at least 17 years old and not currently enrolled in school.

       Adults must reside in Williamson County.  (Adults in parts of N/NW Travis may be eligible depending on student enrollment and

       residence location in Travis.)

* To enroll in the GED program, 17 year-olds will need school withdrawal papers and parental permission.

program structure

Students learn in a self-paced, tutoring program with the assistance of volunteer tutors and staff instructors.  Students do not work in a classroom setting, rather they study independently or in small groups.

Programs are mostly year-round and do not operate on a semester basis.  Some learning centers do close a few weeks around the winter holiday and the summer months.

Learning centers are located throughout Williamson County, and two outreach programs are in Travis County.  Students usually attend the location nearest to them, but can attend other locations if the days and times are more suitable elsewhere.

Currently, learning centers are located in:

         Cedar Park

  1204 W. Whitestone (at Oakwood Community Church)

         Jonestown (ESL only)

  18649 FM 1431, Ste. 6A (at Northwest Rural Community Center)

         Georgetown

  2201 Old Airport Rd. (at Richarte High School)

         Pflugerville (ESL only)

 102 10^th Street (at Pflugerville Community Library)

        Taylor

 516 N. Main, Room 118 (at Temple College at Taylor)

       Round Rock

 1009 N. Georgetown St., Suite A

For information on days, times, locations and what services are offered at each location, please contact us at 512-244-8445 or lcwc@flash.net.

our greatest resource:  our Volunteers

Volunteers serve about 50% of the adult learners we serve each year.  We serve about 2,000 adults.  Without our volunteers, about 1,000 adults would not receive the special attention they need to increase their literacy skills in order to improve their lives.

One out of five adults cannot read this sentence. You can help!

Volunteer tutors are needed to teach English and help adults earn a GED. All that new tutors need is a BIG and to be fluent in English.  To learn more, volunteers can attend orientation. Orientations are held the first Monday of each month (except around holidays) from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Round Rock Library, 216 E. Main.  To register or for more information, please call 512-244-8445 or e-mail us at lcwc@flash.net.  Walk-ins are also welcome.

how we operate

The Literacy Council of Williamson County is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.  Each year, the Council must raise funds to support the great work of the volunteers and staff.  Money is raised to provide books and materials for students and tutors; program salaries for staff instructors; volunteer recruitment and retention; student GED scholarships, financial aid for registration fees and more.

Support is received from corporations, foundations, individuals and United Ways in our service area.  To help an adult read or earn a GED, please donate by calling 512-244-8445 or e-mail us at lcwc@flash.net.