The next training workshops will be held Saturday, Feb.4, and Saturday, Feb. 11, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

NORTH COUNTY — The Literacy for Life North County (Atascadero and Paso Robles) Learning Centers need volunteer tutors. Literacy for Life is a nonprofit volunteer organization which, in partnership with San Luis Obispo County Libraries, provides free English language tutoring for adults in Atascadero, Paso Robles, and throughout San Luis Obispo County.

In San Luis Obispo County, there is an estimated 25,000 functionally illiterate adults and as many as 25 million adult Americans who are unable to read or write. 

“The Atascadero literacy program makes a real difference in people’s lives. Our tutors really enjoy helping their learners, and their efforts do not go unrewarded”, said Atascadero Volunteer Center Director Val Houdyshell. “The joy of seeing someone make positive progress in their life, and the lives of their family, is a very special gift each volunteer tutor receives in exchange for a small amount of their time.”

Literacy for Life gives a virtual (via Zoom) training workshop to provide the basic tutoring skills needed. The next training workshops will be held Saturday, Feb.4, and Saturday, Feb. 11, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. Attendance at both sessions is required. To register for the upcoming tutor training workshops, contact the Literacy for Life office at 541-4219 or register online literacyforlifeslo.org/.  

No teaching experience is needed. The only requirement is the basic ability to speak and read English fluently and a working knowledge of the language. At the North County Centers, learners are provided lessons in both an English literacy and English as a Second Language (ESL) for no charge. The basic literacy lessons are for English speakers who have a limited capacity to read or write. The ESL program is designed for those who understand little to no English and who desire to become active members of their newly chosen community.

Literacy for Life’s mission is to transform the community, to empower individuals by removing barriers to success, and to strengthen relationships through the power of literacy. In partnership with County of SLO Public Libraries, Literacy for Life is a California State Library Literacy Service.