It's never too late to learn!
ADULT LITERACY CENTER OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY
801 Hamilton St., Suite 201
Allentown, PA 18101-2420
(610)435-0680
[email protected]
About the Adult Literacy Center of the Lehigh Valley
The Adult Literacy Center of the Lehigh Valley is the only community agency focusing solely on literacy. Since 1977, the ALC has been dedicated to providing high quality education in Adult Basic Education/GED and English for Speakers of Other Languages for our community, its workforce, and its citizens and family members.
Many of our adult students need to improve their basic skills in order to complete a job application, secure a better job or promotion in their current job, balance a checkbook, write a letter, help their children with their homework, or just know the joys of reading.
Mission, Visions Values of ALC
Our Mission
As a non-profit, community-based educational agency, the Adult Literacy Center of the Lehigh Valley (ALC) works to create a literate Lehigh Valley, providing high-quality, neighborhood-based adult education and community enhancement programs.
Our Visions
- ALC seeks to build accessible literacy services throughout the community in order to improve the quality of life and strengthen the skills of adults who are community members, family members and workers.
- ALC serves as a leader and demonstrates best practices for the immediate and larger community.
Our Values
- Free instructional services
- Student centered programming
- Volunteer based instruction when appropriate
- Services for students in need of increasing literacy and English language skills.
- Dedication to strengthening and serving the community.
- Respect for each individual's dignity and right to privacy.
- Professional behavior in attitudes, actions and words.
- Teamwork, collaboration and opening communication.
- Compassion for community that guides ALC in creating an optimal learning environment.
- Respect and celebration for the Lehigh Valley community and its diversity.
FAST FACTS ABOUT THE ADULT LITERACY CENTER OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY
- Since 1997, ALC has offered FREE neighborhood-based adult education programs - including ESOL and Adult Basic Education/GED classes in neighborhood-based instructional centers.
- In 2001-2002, ALC's students were employees at 208 businesses, were from 42 countries and Puerto Rico, and spoke 20 different languages.
- In April 2002, ALC's volunteers received the Community Service Award from The Morning Call for "volunteer efforts in education."
- ALC is one of 29 organizations that recieves funding from the state Department of Education to teach civics and citizenship to students in its ESOL programs.
- 97% of ALC students increased their involvement in their children's education and in community activities.
- 67% of students are registered to vote.
- 95% of students get jobs or retain their current jobs.
- 98% of students become more active in the community.
- 96% of students enter post-secondary education or job training.
- In the last 3 years, ALC has taught adult family members of more than 1,200 children, many of whom are students in the Allentown School District.
Agency Success Story
In September, 2004, ALC gained national attention by being selected as one of 18 "successful" programs and one of 6 in Pennsylvania.
The study commissioned by the US Department of Education is being conducted by ORC Macro and World Education, Harvard. ALC uses a comprehensive approach to programming, is committed to continuous program improvement, and has a highly-skilled professional staff; a well trained volunteer corps of 105 individuals, and a student centered approach to instruction. For the populations we teach - without private transportation (61%) and varied availability - teaching in neighborhood locations where people can walk to class, providing classes in the mornings and evenings and individually scheduled instruction provides access to our services for the adults in our community.
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