Statements

Mission

The Nashville Adult Literacy Council's (NALC) mission is to help Nashville adults with the reading, writing, and English-speaking skills they need for the life they want. Learners at NALC reach their goals through literacy.

Background

Since 1982, we've done one thing: provide Nashvillians with free literacy services. We take this work seriously because we understand how deeply connected adult literacy is to every aspect of life. Our learners come to us to pursue better employment, financial stability, and greater involvement in their child's learning. Their goals are big and life-long, and we're happy to provide them with free access to curriculum, volunteer tutors, and teachers. NALC's vision is for the one in five Nashville adults at the lowest level of literacy to experience the transformative impact literacy has in creating an engaged, independent, and confident life.

To do this, we provide virtual and in-person programming for two types of learners:

1) English-speaking adults who read or comprehend at less than an eighth-grade proficiency.
2) Adult immigrants who have limited English skills.

This year, NALC expects to serve 450 learners with the help of 175 volunteers.

NALC adopts the literacy definition from the National Literacy Trust: ' Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in a way that lets us communicate effectively and make sense of the world.'

Impact

One in five Nashville adults lives with the lowest levels of literacy. Nashville continues to be one of the fastest-growing cities in Tennessee, with about 30 people moving to the city each day. While NALC continues to invest in literacy attainment for residents, our waitlist continues to grow. In short, as long as Nashville thrives, more people will seek our services.

Literacy impacts every part of life: employment, poverty levels, healthcare, K -12 school performance of children, relationships, and dependence on systems for support. Though we are on track to serve over 400 individuals this year, at least 120,000 Davidson County residents could benefit from improved literacy.

No one says it better than one of our learners, planning for her future: "To become an interpreter, I need to do a few things. First, I need to improve my English skills and build confidence. I am grateful that I found NALC."

Needs

NALC seeks to increase community visibility and awareness, recruit more volunteers, and expand our capacity so we can serve every learner on our waiting list, each of whom is eager to be served through our programs.

NALC's greatest need is for volunteer tutors for English Language Learners and Literacy Learners. There are hundreds of people on our waiting list. We specifically need tutors with some digital skills, as we've been using more and more online programs. Please reach out to NALC if you would like to volunteer or if you are aware of opportunities to share our message in the community through speaking engagements, community events, and media publications. A rise in volunteer recruitment is needed to help these students who are ready to learn. More information on tutoring and training schedules can be found here: nashvilleliteracy.org/volunteer.

In addition to volunteers, NALC's learners would benefit from additional funding. More donations to NALC help us to hire staff who can teach learners and train volunteers, exponentially increasing our scope and impact. NALC would love to expand the services we offer in the areas of greatest need for our community.

CEO Statement

When adult learners come to NALC, they come with a need. They need help with their reading, writing, or English-speaking skills. It is an exciting step on their literacy journeys, but it also frequently comes with difficult emotions, like fear, shame, and vulnerability.

When volunteer tutors come to NALC, they also come with a need. They need help finding things like connection, purpose, or personal growth. It is an exciting time for them, too, but just like our students, they might feel shy or intimidated at first.

One of my favorite things about NALC is what happens next. I used to linger at the copy machine just so I could eavesdrop on these two strangers meeting. I would listen to the learning and the laughter, and I got to watch an equal exchange between the student and the tutor. At NALC, everyone gets what they need in order to be successful, and they get it from one another. The tutoring experience is such a beautiful human interaction.

It is difficult to convey the level of transformation that happens at NALC. We get to witness incredible resilience. Adulthood is a time in life when many choose to "coast" based on what they already know, but our learners and tutors are finding a new way to improve their lives and the lives of the people around them. The result is the creation of something that is stronger, more beautiful, and more valuable. It is an impact that can be felt by their families and friends, and it is a difference that is passed on to their children.

Generations of lives are changed because of the work that happens at NALC. I can speak to this firsthand. Six years ago, I tutored a woman with a sixth-grade education from another country. She and her husband have studied English to offer more opportunity for their family. This year, I am helping them navigate college applications for their oldest child. He hopes to be a software engineer. He will be the first in his family to go to college, but not the first to get a high school degree -- his dad finished his high school equivalency degree just in time to beat him to it!

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Education  - Adult Education
Secondary Category:	Education  - Remedial Reading & Encouragement
Tertiary Category:	Education  - Educational Services

Areas Served

The adults served by the Nashville Adult Literacy Council typically live or work in Davidson County and the surrounding Middle Tennessee area.

TN - Davidson