Literacy Volunteers Of Bangor

Since 1969, Literacy Volunteers of Bangor (LVB) has helped adults improve their literacy skills so that they are better able to read, write, and communicate in English. Literacy is a gateway skill that allows adults to stabilize their basic needs, access better paying jobs, and raise the aspirations of their children. 

As many as 20% of Mainers are functioning at the lowest levels of literacy and roughly 50% are reading at a middle school level.  We train and match community volunteer tutors to work individually with an adult who wants to learn. Together, they work on the goals related to education, jobs, family, and community.

Becoming a tutor for an adult with literacy challenges is our #1 volunteer opening. LVB provides the tutor training and prepares the volunteer to help an adult a) improve their reading skills, and/or b) learn English as another language. After the training, the tutor is carefully matched with a waiting adult student.  Lessons are coordinated between the tutor and student at a place and time mutually agreed upon.

As a volunteer driven organization, nearly every aspect of our business has volunteer support and involvement. Some positions are episodic, only happening on occasion. Others, involve a weekly or monthly commitment around a particular aspect of the business. Some examples include: communication/marketing, finance, fundraising, governance, nominating, office projects, and tutor training/support.