About Literacy Advance

Low literacy is a common thread connecting many social issues such as poverty, unemployment, homelessness, and crime.

Large numbers of adults accessing community social services and the majority of those in the penal system are illiterate. Limited literacy robs our state and nation of good workers because a modern information-based economy requires high levels of communication.

Low English literacy is a solvable problem, and this is why Literacy Advance exists. The mission of Literacy Advance of Houston is to transform lives and communities through the doorway of literacy. Helping one adult improve their English literacy often has a ripple effect out through that adult's family, workplace and wider community. Adult learners who have taken Literacy Advance classes have gone on to pursue higher education, obtain better jobs, and earn U.S. citizenship. 

Literacy Advance programs are targeted to help adults seeking to improve their English literacy to help them overcome challenges in employment, healthcare access, education, housing, and transportation. Individual student goals are central to Literacy Advance programs and we encourage our volunteer tutors to consider these goals in their lesson planning. Resources and support are constantly available to assist tutors in this process.

Volunteers are the heart of Literacy Advance and we offer extensive Tutor Training and Enrichment programs to train and equip volunteer tutors and give them the resources they need to be effective tutors and have a successful volunteer experience. In addition to tutoring, volunteers are also instrumental in other areas, including advocacy, event organization, Family Literacy and more.

Literacy Advance of Houston is an accredited affiliate of ProLiteracy America and a United Way agency.