Literacy Matters - Ozarks Literacy Council

ILLITERACY IS PREVENTABLE

READING CREATES BRIGHT FUTURES!

Ozarks Literacy Council (OLC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission of raising awareness and promoting literacy through free services to adults and children in Southwest Missouri. Ozarks Literacy Council offers free programs (One-on-One Tutoring, Preschool Readings, and Community Outreach Services) to raise awareness and promote literacy.

Your support helps us provide FREE tutoring for school-age children and adults in the Springfield area, provide free books to preschoolers who are enrolled in programs that focus on serving those from lower-incomes, and give out many books at community events to all children to help them grow both their personal libraries and their appreciation for reading. Making a difference starts with change, and your dollars and cents can go a long way to empower someone’s future through literacy.

Literacy and the Economy

Researchers at George Washington University estimate the cost of low health literacy to be between $106 billion to $238 billion annually.

In the U.S.

The Survey of Adult Skills conducted by PIAAC reveals that there are 36 million adults in the United States who cannot read better than the average 3rd grader.

In Springfield, MO

In April of 2016, The Missouri Career Center, in conjunction with Ozarks Literacy Council and Missouri State University, randomly sampled 200 individuals seeking employment. From this sampling, 27% were below a 6th grade reading level.

2016 MAP English Language Arts scores for Springfield Public Schools reveal that 43.5% of third grade children are at a “basic” or “below basic” level.

OUR PROGRAMS

OUR LITERACY PROGRAMS

ONE-ON-ONE TUTORING PROGRAM

Adults and children can improve reading and writing skills through one-on-one tutoring. Click here for more information.

Preschool Readings

Help prevent low-literacy by fostering an early love of books and reading in children. OLC visits local preschools to read and do fun book related activities. Click here to learn more!

Community Involvement

OLC strategically places books in the hands of children who need them most. Click here to learn more about the difference reading advocacy can make.

TESTIMONIALS

WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAYING

“

I am amazed with the progress my daughter has made in working with the tutors from OLC. All through school, I was repeatedly told that my daughter would never read. Well, she IS reading! She is so proud of herself and I am so proud of her!

Mother of OLC Student

“

“I wanted to update you on Kate, who was tutored last school year by one of your tutors. When she started, she was starting grade 2 and at end of K reading level. She is now in grade 3 and doing the middle school reading program for SPS, Reading plus. I’m amazed that she has gone from end of K to grade 6 in about 18 months. Thank you for your program and the tutor for her time and effort. It it has made a difference.”

Mother of 3rd Grade Student

“

By increasing my literacy skills everything is better. I am doing better than I ever have before. It’s like being born again. I can now sit down and gather what is needed in life.

OLC Student

LITERACY MATTERS

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

Volunteers are a crucial part of our organization! We rely on volunteers to carry out our programs as well as help with our various events. There are numerous ways you can get involved with Ozarks Literacy Council.