Literacy Advance of Houston

Literacy Advance of Houston is a fabulous nonprofit! The entire focus of the organization is on the students and what can be done to improve service to them - a great dynamic. Volunteers are trained and deeply appreciated. It is a lean organization so donations go to great use. Tutoring at Literacy Advance is extremely rewarding! I've had many heartwarming moments as a tutor when students told me they got a driver's license or could speak to teachers, doctors or maintenance technicians because of their time in my class. The atmosphere at Literacy Advance is joyful and fun! Everyone is treated with respect and it brings out the best in all of us. Donate! Volunteer! Help change people's lives and reap personal reward beyond measure.

I retired a few years ago from Morgan Stanley after 25 years of service. I found myself to be very bored and unfulfilled, my wife still works long and hard days. So I was alone. I thought maybe I could be useful, helpful as a volunteer. I decided to try it and have been very blessed by the warm reception of the students and the happy faces.
I can actually see a difference in my students and their confidence level. I know I have made a difference in their lives, There is no $paycheck, but the value of the rewards I feel inside my heart is tremendous. Thanks Literacy Advance! Jim McCubbin

I've never experienced such an impressive non profit organization. They have literally helped people who were previously powerless and overlooked and scared find purpose, confidence, knowledge, and a network of friends, peers, and resources. Everything they provide is for free, and my contributions as a Board member are tangibly valuable, so I can say they've helped me find additional purpose, confidence, knowledge, and a network for friends, peers, and resources too. Congratulations to Literacy Advance of Houston, all of our volunteers, and all of our students for all the success over the last 50 years. Let's keep doing even more over the next 50!

I first volunteered here as a way to give back. Even though the clients and staff abundantly praise and thank me, turns out, I have gained so much more than I feel I contribute. I walk away from every interaction feeling energized, hopeful, and connected. Literacy Advance has enriched my life beyond measure.

For anyone searching for a way to make a positive contribution to the lives of Houstonians, Literacy Advance of Houston is a wonderful place to explore. If you prefer to tutor one on one, you can chose to help a native English speaker improve his or her reading skills. If you like small groups, you can tutor 4 to 8 students from all over the world and help them learn English and make sense of our community. Either way, you will be rewarded with interesting activities, new friends, and fascinating new information about language and the world. The value of your contribution of time and effort will expand with each student life you touch.

Literacy Advance of Houston is staffed by a knowledgeable and dedicated group of employees and volunteers. The classroom facilities are outstanding and there is a well-stocked resource room with teaching materials. Learners are universally pleased with their experiences at Literacy Advance.

All efforts, eyes and hearts are focused on the learners and that makes tutoring at Literacy Advance such a rewarding experience. It's like being on an awesome team of winners who love helping! The staff is top-notch, enthusiastic and so supportive. I've been a tutor since '05 and although much has changed, the most important things haven't: the programs are relevant to the learners and the classroom experience is exciting. I love tutoring at Literacy Advance and I'm so grateful for all the volunteers, the staff and those who so generously give their resources to the learners.

Literacy Advance of Houston is a great place to volunteer. They are highly organized and appreciative. It really feels good to be part of this organization - working (and having fun) with the staff, students and other volunteers.

I have been volunteering for almost 4 years. I have enjoyed every minute of it. From the thorough orientation I attended, I knew that I would be prepared to help a fellow Houstonian learn to read and write. Seeing the light go "on" is an amazing moment - when the student gets a certain concept, learns a new word, writes his first paragraph, spells every word correctly, speaks in front of a crowd - I get goosebumps thinking about the many things that these students learn - and we take for granted. I have seen first-hand the transformation that happens when a student learns to read. Everyone who comes here is motivated and happy. This is the happiest place to be!

Working as a a volunteer at Literacy Advance has truly been a rewarding and productive experience. The wonderfully supportive staff make the environment pleasant and enjoyable. The staff also make both tutors and students feel welcome and appreciated. This is a remarkable place.

My name is Fanny Carreño Alonso. I am from Venezuela.
I am grateful with Literary Advance, the place where I have been studying English since I was in the 3rd level.
It has excellent teachers and all the people who works there are volunteers. We can study there with no cost, and the most important thing with a lot of love.
Everybody there take care of us, they know all the students, and they treat us with special care.
The teachers are excellent, very kind and patient .They know our necessities and treat us with love and consideration.
I learned there to read, to write, to speak. I already finished all the levels, but we need to continue improving our learning.
Now I belong to the Alumni group where we improve our English conversation, pronunciation, and understanding with our excellent teachers Kristina & Anna. We share with our teachers and with our classmates too, our experiences, and we go out some times to practice our English with other people or to learn other activities having fun.
This school is amazing! I tell to everybody the great experience that I have had in my life, studying English there.
Now I can read, speak, and write in English. I can help my grandchildren in their home works, read books, help people, watch movies, etc.
Thank you so much to all people who works in Literary Advance! Their Job is incredible and it is priceless!
God Bless all of you,
Fanny

Literacy Advance is a unique and critical volunteer opportunity. Literacy Advance trains volunteers to transfer knowledge they already have by tutoring individuals in the basics of reading and writing English. These basic life skills assist adults in bettering their lives, and the lives of their families. While volunteering, one is rewarded with friends and a multi-cultural experience.

Literacy Advance is a great organization for someone interested in volunteering through tutoring / or for getting free ESL, ABE and other "literacy" classes. The organization is very well run, and it has great teaching resources to make tutoring interesting and truly beneficial for both volunteers and students. As an ESL tutor I enjoy having access to many teaching books, instructions, CDs, manipulatives, DVDs, etc! So far, the students I have met at Literacy Advance are motivated and serious about learning and assimilating in the U.S., so I feel like my volunteering really makes a difference. The classes take place in a nice, clean environment; the central office is fantastic, it looks professional. Tutoring is well structured; there is a strict attendance policy for students, clear schedules and simple reports policy which helps the tutor to keep continuance of educational process. So far I am very happy to volunteer for Literacy Advance!

Volunteering as an ESL tutor with Literacy Advance is extremely rewarding because it offers the chance to directly improve lives. My students have benefitted from my instruction, and I have benefitted from their stories and experiences. The training and support are exemplary, and working with these adult students has been FUN!

Literacy Advance enables volunteers and participants a chance to impact each others lives in a positive manner.

You know how, when you start to volunteer somewhere the organization can tend to overwhelm you ith requests for more and more of your time, adding responsibilities, and eventually burning you out? NOT SO with Literacy Advance! This is such an organized and professional group, and they are incredibly appreciative of even the slightest contribution. I'm continually amazed at the flexibility and support volunteers are afforded, but most of all, the enthusiasm and heart-felt thanks volunteers receive from the staff and students is very energizing. You don't need experience, you will learn what you need to know to get started during a fun and interactive new tutor workshop. And you won't be bogged down by artificial cirriculum, erroneous testing, or unmanageable classes. Classes are small, grouped by learner level, they occur when it's convenient for you, and are completely driven by the students' goals. I will continue volunteering here for as long as there are people who want to learn to become literate!

I found Literacy Advance on Internet. I was looking for a possibility to improve my English. It was few months ago. Now I'm thinking that there is no better place for me. There is a great atmosphere, with absolutely amazing people. All tutors work as a volunteer and they are really, really engaged in this position. I improved my English. One of my friend goes to the computer class, and another goes to learn more about Microsoft Word 2010. So this is the place for learning different skills!!

I have been a volunteer with several non-profits over the last 10 years and have never encountered such a positive, effective and well organized group as Literacy Advance. As a volunteer tutor for 2 years, I have found this group to be so supportive and considerate of both the students and tutors, making each one of us feel incredibly special. And the programs are so effective! I always wanted to feel like I made a difference in someone's life. This volunteer position provides just that. Watching the students grow in confidence as their English improves is the best reward. And I'm not even a teacher by training. Literacy Advance helped me understand what to do and gave me the materials to do it. This is an extraordinary organization with a grand vision of adult literacy and the remarkable capacity to achieve it.

I have had the pleasure of volunteering at Literacy Advance for almost 3 years. Helping with events has been such a positive experience and working with such a dedicated and energetic staff is inspiring. No matter what your skills and interests are, there is a place in this organization where you can truly make a difference. I see the success of the commitment of staff and volunteers evey day. There is no greater joy than seeing a life transformed.

I have been volunteering here for a few years and I can say without reservation that this place is great. Everyone is friendly and helpful, and the services it provides (all for free of course) are valuable. At the end of a volunteering session, not only do I feel I have contributed something positive, but more often than not, the tasks I perform are intrinsically rewarding.

I have been a volunteer at Literacy Advance for over two years assisting with administrative duties. It is a wonderful organization that provides a service needed in our community. It is organized, efficient, and amazing and has the friendliest and nicest staff and volunteers. Besides teaching English as a second language and adult basic education they have family literacy nights at elementary schools to involve parents and the children in the joy of reading. It's a good feeling knowing I can contribute to a worthwhile cause and have such a great time doing it.

Literacy Advance of Houston is one of the gems of the city. They work collaboratively with outreach locations as well as in-house to suppost students where they are, whenever they can meet. They offer different classes and opportunities to help us volunteers work with people who would like help to increase knowledge and communication. The program is a wonderful addition to the community and I feel privileged to work with this staff and students.

Literacy Advance is so many things: it allows me to share my beliefs that diversity improves our city, it allows me to help someone improve their job potential, it allows me to assure people who need help with literacy to know that we are a safe environment and will work with adults at any level and treat them with dignity, it allows me to be a part of a group that extends a helping hand to others who need to learn to speak English.

I just got started volunteering for Literacy Advance. This has been such an overwheming satisfation for me to be able to give to these students. I've enjoyed every minute of teaching and look forward to meeting new and interesting people. The staff here is awesome!!!!!!!!

I have found Literacy Advance to be one of the most rewarding, enlightening and interesting organizations I have volunteered for to date. The staff, resources and experience of other long term volunteers are all absolutely wonderful. I teach ‘while you wait’ ESL classes. These are adults from every corner of the world who are working hard at assimilating themselves into our language and culture. What a wonderful place to lend a hand.

I have volunteered with many different organizations and Literacy Advance is by far the best! For the past three years, I have been tutoring ESL classes and leading trainings for new tutors. Literacy Advance classes are free to students. Because of this, they are so appreciative and grateful to the tutors. It is an incredibly rewarding experience to see them improve as they learn new vocabulary and gain confidence in English. What makes Literacy Advance exceptionally, though, is the support the volunteers receive from the staff. From the fantastic training session to the everyday communications and announcements, the staff ensures that volunteers are equipped to be great tutors, even if it is their first time in a tutoring role. I highly recommend Literacy Advance. Volunteering with them is a wonderful experience. Seeing a student get a new job or get their driver's license because of the English skills they have gained in your class is unforgettable!