Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford

Our mission is to create a community of fully literate adults through student centered instruction that catalyzes career readiness and advancement.

We are a private non-profit organization, and have provided adult literacy services to the Greater Hartford community since 1972. Our student-centered, technology enriched programs teach over 700 adult learners each year.  Classes include: reading and writing, English proficiency, math, high school completion citizenship, and job/career readiness. We are an accredited affiliate of ProLiteracy Worldwide, and we rely on public and private support to expand our reach to meet the vast need for literacy services.

About two-thirds of our students, representing more than 80 countries around the world, participate in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program.  Another third are native English speakers who generally read and write at or below a sixth grade reading level. All of our students share a powerful determination to improve their lives – and their families’ lives – through learning.

The hard work and dedication of our 200 volunteers are the heart and soul of this organization. Guided, trained and supported by professional staff, volunteers provide classroom instruction, computer lab assistance, and expertise on the Board of Directors and various committees.

Nationally recognized by the Library of Congress with a Best Practices Literacy Award, Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford (LVGH) successfully meets the unique and diverse educational needs of low literate adults. Our highly trained volunteer tutors have helped more than 20,000 adults from across the region learn to read, write, and speak English. 

Our Career Pathways program prepares students for the workforce, providing career counseling, job training and placement. In collaboration with Sodexo, we also provide a food services job training program that combines classroom and practical experience, and leads to ServSafe certification. The practical portion of this program is taught by a professional chef, and provides semi-weekly community dinners in our East Hartford Center.

Our Childcare program* at the Hartford Literacy Center helps remove a common barrier to class attendance, and is available to the children of students attending morning ESOL classes. These young children engage in age-appropriate literacy and play activities in a safe, nurturing environment. The staff provides materials and coaches parents on how to extend the activities at home.  Teaching parents strategies that support their child's early learning, and giving them the tools to continue literacy-rich activities at home helps prepare the children for school while reinforcing literacy skills for both the parent and child.

*Please note, the childcare program is currently on hiatus due to ongoing health concerns related to the pandemic.