THE LITERACY COUNCIL OF LANCASTER- LEBANON LVA INC
Success through lifelong learning and learning for life
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Today, 22% of Lancaster County’s 380,144 (83,631) adults are functioning at or below Level 1 Literacy. 21% of Lebanon County’s 97,867 adults (20,552) adults are functioning at or below Level 1 Literacy. https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/piaac/skillsmap/?utm_campaign=Programs%20-%20General&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=86337630&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--BXG5zzKiF3hGd_V_V_pVdinms6sVNtbalfmM8Gbgi7w3hDegPKpwQQBMh_yH4Gm2CnHw1-nMe_KeQ3_a5G9Ugva1HWQ&_hsmi=86337630 The Literacy Council's Literacy and Learning Success Centers are here to empower adults to achieve success through lifelong learning and learning for life. Providing access to free adult basic education services, adults can build their basic academic skills, develop digital literacy, explore careers and create a career development plan. All services are free.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Adult Basic Education
Adult Basic Education (ABE) includes instruction in reading, writing and mathematics. This program serves adult learners who need to improve their basic education skills for family, community and work. It is also an entry level for adults seeking a high school equivalency diploma.
Instruction is provided in classroom settings, small groups and individual tutoring.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
The ESL program provides instruction in English reading, writing, listening an speaking for adults who have limited English skills. Programs teach language skills in the context family life, the community and work.
High School Equivalency Diploma Preparation
The high school equivalency program prepares adults for the high school equivalency test. Adults receive instruction in reading, writing, math, science and social studies.
Tutor Training
The Literacy Council provides pre-service and in-service training to more than 150 volunteer tutors each year. Tutors apply to The Literacy Council and if they are accepted into the program, they begin the pre-service training process. All training is provided at no cost to the tutor.
Career Awareness and Exploration
Students work with student advisors, teachers, tutors and mentors to learn about career options, explore possibilities, and learn what it takes to get on a career pathway. Learners work with student advisors to set goals and develop a career and education plan to prepare for postsecondary education and a career. Transitional support and navigation helps adults stay on track so they can reach their goals.
Digital Literacy
This program teaches basic computer skills and helps students access free or reduced cost internet services.
International Healthcare Professionals Program
This program provides opportunities for internationally trained healthcare professionals to learn English, explore career pathways and work with advisors and mentors to assist them in reclaiming their careers in their new home.
Where we work
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Tutor Training
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Volunteers are providing instruction to adult learners and providing non-instructional volunteer services such as serving on the board and committees.
Hours of volunteer service
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Adult Basic Education
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Volunteer service hours include instruction and instructional planning, board and committee service.
Number of groups brought together in a coalition/alliance/partnership
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Adult Basic Education
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of program participants who receive a secondary school diploma or GED
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
High School Equivalency Diploma Preparation
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of students who demonstrate improved overall literacy
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Adult Basic Education
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The Literacy Council's vision for our community is that adults have the skills to transform their lives, sustain their families and strengthen their communities. Our aspirational goal is that all adults in our service are empowered to achieve a life sustaining career. The disparities in opportunities impact people's outcomes in education, economic mobility and stability. Literacy and basic education are the cornerstones of achievement.
Our organizational goals are:
1. Ensure that services are equitable, accessible and lead to equitable outcomes for our diverse students.
2. Support digital inclusion through equipment, internet and skills.
3. Create programs and services that support the needs of busy adult learners so that they can achieve economic mobility.
4. Expand capacity for providing online learning options for adult learners.
Our program goals address students enrolling in classes, persisting in the program and meeting their goals.
1. We will serve 500 adult learners.
2. We will track student achievement by measuring learning gains, digital literacy, job attainment, job retention, transition to postsecondary education and attainment of a high school equivalency diploma.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The Literacy Council meets each learner where they are and helps them begin their journey as an adult learner. We use research and evidence based instructional strategies, curriculum and materials. We hire qualified and trained instructional staff. We use an individualized approach to teaching and learning. Our teachers practice a career pathways model that focuses on transitioning to the next step in an adult's life - job, continuing education, job training, job advancement. Our students receive case management and transitional counseling and education navigation to help them chart their career path. Students participate in an individual diagnostic interview and are tested in reading, writing, math, digital skills and English language fluency. Students participate in goal planning activities and are placed in the instruction setting that best meets their educational needs and practical needs. They receive ongoing assessment and feedback.
Progress is monitored with standardized assessment and case management.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Literacy Council has 10 full time staff, 4 adjunct teachers and more than 125 trained and qualified volunteer tutors to serve adult learners in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. The Literacy Council has a strong board of directors committed to the work. In 2016, The Literacy Council received the Pennsylvania Association for Nonprofit Organization's Standards for Excellence Accreditation. The accreditation was renewed in 2019.
The Literacy Council understands the value of collective impact and practices collaboration in our work. We partner with more than 40 organizations in our community to help us bring in more resources to serve more people. It is important for The Literacy Council to work with employers and postsecondary education providers to ensure a smooth transition for our students. We work with libraries who provide classrooms, meeting space and outreach. We work with school districts to reach parents who are struggling. We work with community based organizations to ensure that students with barriers can find the support services they need to help them complete their educational goals.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon has been providing services since 1985, serving thousands of adult learners who seek to improve their lives through education. Volunteer teachers provided more than 9,000 hours of instruction. We are working hard to address digital exclusion. Through a partnership with a local employer, we have given students in need a free laptop computer and helped them build their digital literacy skills.
Here is a look at some of our most recent program year data (2019/2020)...
Inputs
Success Center Instructional Programs
Basic Skills (reading, writing, math)
High School Equivalency Preparation
Citizenship Preparation
English for Speakers of Other Languages
Career Pathways
Workplace Education and Training
Education and Career Navigation
Outputs
Our biggest challenge in 2020 was our inability to posttest students for learning gains due to the forced shut down of face-to-face services and no state approved remote testing options. However, we did manage to get a few completed before March 16.
420 students enrolled in an instructional program
3 in HSE
93 Pre - HSE
324 in ESOL
75 in Career Pathways *
48 in Career Pathways for International Healthcare Professionals**
8 Students earned a High School Equivalency Diploma
114 improved their skills (152 students were post-tested prior to March 16 with 75% making a learning gain)
75 completed a career development plan
*Career Pathways helps adult learners explore careers, build a career development plan and start on path to a life sustaining job.
We are excited about our Career Pathways for International Healthcare Professionals program that helps medical professionals trained in other counties to reclaim their careers in their new home. Americanizing credentials and building stackable credentials support these professionals in finding the best pathway in the United States. We served more than 80 professionals in 2020.
4 scholars have completed the USMLE exams and have applied for residency.
12 scholars enrolled in the Second-Degree Registered Nursing Program at Penn State University in Harrisburg. 6 will graduate in December 2020 and 6 will graduate in December 2021. The Success Centers partner with Penn State to embed an ESOL teacher in the program to support the scholars.
10 scholars completed Certified Medical Interpreter Training.
6 scholars completed Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
2 scholars completed Cardiac Life Support.
4 scholars completed a 5-month Phlebotomy training program at Tec Centro.
5 scholars completed a 7-month Certified Medical Assistant training program at Tec Centro.
2 received a Fellowship at Penn State University’s College of Medicine’s Simulation Center.
2 have been volunteering to teach Spanish to PSU medical students.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Literacy and language proficiency
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
THE LITERACY COUNCIL OF LANCASTER- LEBANON LVA INC
Board of directorsas of 01/23/2024
Chad Burgess
Ashley Garcia
Martha Guaigua
Scott Cole
Phillip Heckert
Stephanie Stauffer
Erik Cianci
Tim Steffen
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 01/23/2024GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.