Volunteers for Literacy of Habersham County Inc

Volunteers for Literacy (VFL) of Habersham County is celebrating 30 years of establishing and maintaining programs that promote and foster literacy in Habersham County.  We are all about encouraging reading and hope that, as part of GAGives in 2019, you will celebrate with us by making a donation  in honor of the person who taught you your love for reading.

A non-profit, United Way agency that develops and supports literacy programs in Habersham County, Georgia, VFL was
established in 1989 through a partnership with North Georgia Technical College and began as an adult literacy tutoring service.  Today VFL serves Habersham County residents of all ages through three signature programs:  Read to Succeed, English as a Second Language and GED Scholarships.

As part of the Read to Succeed program, VFL participates in The Dictionary Project by annually by purchasing and giving dictionaries to every third grade student in Habersham County Schools (HCS). At each of the eight elementary schools, a board member, wearing a cap and gown, talks with the assembled students about the importance of staying in school and choosing a career upon completion of their education. With their bright yellow dictionaries, they also receive a writing pen with the words "Good luck Class of 2029 (for this year's class) from Volunteers for Literacy".

VFL partners with HCS to sponsor the Scripps Spelling Bee annually by paying for the registration for 11 schools that participate in the Bee and purchasing trophies for each school winner and runner-up and each county winner and runner-up.

Reading is important at every age and with that in mind, VFL maintains the VFL Book Bank where thousands of books are received, catalogued and given away throughout the year. Every two weeks VFL's 11 Little Free Libraries are re-stocked with the book bank books and more than 600 books are given to underserved children at Christmas and during summer reading programs. Books are given away to children and adults at festivals, as well.

Partnering with HCS, Piedmont College School of Education and Habersham County Libraries, VFL sponsors One Book Habersham, a community builder in which everyone in the community is encouraged to read and share the same book over a three-month period. At the end of the  program, a book's author visits for two days with school children and with the community at a special event.

Can you imagine being in a country whose language you cannot speak or read and not being able to communicate with your child's doctor? Or trying to get a job when you cannot understand the language? Or trying to prosper in a country whose customs and culture you do not understand? VFL's English Language Acquisition (ELA) program not only teaches English and civics to non-speakers of English, we also provide child care and transportation for adult students since most do not have drivers' licenses and cannot afford child care. Many of our former students have not only gotten jobs, but have gone to college or technical school and have improved the quality of life for themselves and their children.

Finally, VFL works with North Georgia Technical College to get students who do not have a high school diploma in GED classes so they can improve their quality of life.

 Statistics show that for every dollar spent on literacy, the community receives $33 in benefits. The economic impact of illiteracy on the public sector is huge and with that in mind,  VFL is committed to programs that empower people through literacy so they can lead more productive and fulfilling lives. Won't you donate today and help VFL make a difference in the Habersham Community?