The United Way of Phelps County recently added the East Central Area Literacy Council to its list of program partners for 2017.
The donation will go toward the volunteer tutor training program. The East Central Area Literacy Council will use the grant funds to recruit and train volunteers to work with adults in the East Central College Adult Education and Literacy program. The AEL program coordinated by ECC serves students who are learning English, need to complete their high school education, or prepare for college or career changes. The Literacy Council also provides tutors for individuals who do not know how to read. Tutoring sessions are available at local libraries as well as AEL classrooms.
East Central Area Literacy Council board member, Dan Woodward; executive director, Alice Whalen; and vice-president, Diane Crowder, with Teri Beaugard, United Way Executive Director. Photo credit, United Way of Phelps County
”Volunteer tutors are key to the success of our students who are learning to read and for immigrants to learn English. The individual attention and support provided to our students is invaluable,” said Alice Whalen, Executive Director from East Central Area Literacy Council.
The East Central Area Literacy Council began in November 2010 as a volunteer board of directors and assists the ECC Adult Education and Literacy program by recruiting and training volunteer tutors, raising awareness of the issues of illiteracy in the counties served, and receiving donations to purchase training materials, instructional materials, or other needs of the program. In addition to Whalen, other members of the Literacy Council include Steven Campbell, Jean Craft, Diane Crowder, Gregory Gelles, Jackie Gilliam, Janece Martin, Joan Morris, Diana Watkins, Kathryn Whyte, and Dan Woodward.
United Way of Phelps County is a locally run chapter of the United Way Worldwide umbrella organization. Each United Way operates independently and is locally governed. A volunteer Board of Directors oversees our strategic direction and steers our financial decisions.
The United Way of Phelps County raises funds through workplace campaigns, community supported events and individual donors. During the more than 50 years United Way of Phelps County has been part of the community; many thousands of individuals have contributed to United Way.
United Way was built on the belief that together, we can accomplish more than any individual or organization can alone.We help and collaborate with local nonprofit agencies, providing financial, volunteer and advocacy support, and we review these agencies each year to ensure they do the best possible work in the community.
