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Our Mission
Improving the lives of adults, youth, and families by teaching basic literacy and life skills for economic and social success.
Since the early 1990's, the Literacy Council of Miller & Bowie Counties has been teaching adults how to read and write better through the use of volunteer, one-on-one and small group class tutors. The Literacy Council also has an English as a Second Language (ESL) program designed for students whose native language is not English. By training tutors and matching them with students, the Miller & Bowie Counties helped over 500 adults work towards their personal reading and writing goals last year alone. All of our tutoring services are provided free of charge.
Our Vision
Be the key provider of literacy services in the Texarkana Area.
TLC strives to be the Texarkana Area's preeminent provider of literacy education programs for adults with the goal of making measurable improvements in their lives and communities. We strive to serve as a model for other literacy organizations and non-profits by achieving excellence in all of our programs; supporting the volunteers who make the programs possible; maintaining professional standards for our work; and operating in a financially sustainable manner.
Guiding Principles
We believe in and practice the following principles as our basic foundation for helping adult learners become literate in english.
| • | Champion the basic human right of all individuals to education and literacy. |
| • | Offer an accessible, encouraging, and stable environment for students who seek our help and volunteers who support our mission. |
| • | Treat all students with respect, understanding, and compassion. |
| • | Protect the confidentiality of the student-tutor relationship. |
| • | Engage in straightforward, frequent dialog with both students and tutors regarding expectations, abilities, and progress. |
| • | Be a knowledgeable resource and implement best practices in literacy instruction, advocacy, and fundraising. |
| • | Maintain the highest standards of professionalism, honesty, and integrity in all individual, business, and community interactions. |
Research has shown that adults seeking help with reading and writing have undiagnosed learning disabilities in numbers disproportionate to the general population. The Literacy Council screens every adult student for signs of "LD" at intake. Accommodations are made a part of the basic curriculum.
We have learning centers in Texarkana, Texas—Texarkana College Annex Building, Texarkana, Arkansas—600 Walnut, and Stamps, Arkansas—305 Main Street. We also have volunteer satellite locations in DeKalb, New Boston and Linden, Texas.
