Give back to the community and make a difference in someone’s life by becoming a tutor with the Halifax County Volunteer Literacy Program. The Volunteer Literacy Program located at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) will hold free tutor training sessions on Tuesday, February 21 and Thursday, February 23 from 1pm-3pm, and on Monday February 27 and Wednesday, February 29 from 7pm-9pm. Individuals may attend either two day sessions or two evening sessions. Tutor training will be held at the SVHEC located at 820 Bruce Street, South Boston, VA, and will cover the basics of tutoring and the characteristics of adult learners. All training materials will be provided.

Volunteer Literacy Coordinator Judy Ward stated, “The need is great in our community to help with reading and writing skills. We also have an increasing number of foreign-born individuals moving into the area who need help with basic English.” Literacy tutors do not need prior experience or be able to speak a foreign language. “Anyone with the ability to read and write and the desire to help someone can become a tutor,” Ward continued.

Halifax County Volunteer Literacy Program is for adults who need help with their reading, writing, or basic English skills. Tutors are matched with one student and need only commit 1 to 2 hours a week to meet with him or her. Any resident of Halifax County may receive free, confidential, one-on-one tutoring in basic literacy or English as a Second Language (ESL).

Anyone who wants to make a difference in someone’s life is encouraged to attend the free tutor training session and sign-up as a literacy volunteer. To find out more information or to register for the training please call Judy Ward, Volunteer Literacy Coordinator, at 434-572-5449 and toll free 1-800-283-0098 ext 5449 or Sekia Watson, Assistant Literacy Coordinator, at 434-572-5591 and toll free 1-800-283-0098 ext 5591.