Local nonprofit GOALS highlights adult literacy needs during National Literacy Month

Dawn Burley, executive with the Greater Orange Area Literacy Service (GOALS), addressed the City of Orange council during public comments to mark National Literacy Month and to solicit volunteers.

Burley said GOALS, at 520 West Decatur Avenue, provides three programs: General Educational Development (GED) preparation, adult basic education for learners below sixth-grade reading level, and English-as-a-Second-Language instruction. She cited the nonprofit’s 2022 member statistical report showing that 29% of program entrants read below a third-grade level and described outcomes including an incarcerated-participant recidivism reduction statistic she attributed to correctional education programs.

Burley recounted individual student progress, including an adult who arrived unable to read the alphabet and, after eight weeks, could write his name, and an immigrant who held an engineering degree in his native country but had to re-enter higher education after learning English. She said GOALS typically serves about 40 students per year, with ages ranging from 16 to about 55, and that enrollment this year had already exceeded that number.

The nonprofit provides free learning materials and lesson plans, requires tutors to track meeting times and progress on log sheets to meet grant requirements, and asks tutors to commit to at least six months. Burley said tutoring is typically one hour, twice weekly, and must take place in public locations (office, library) rather than in private homes.

“Please keep that in mind as we continue honoring National Literacy Month,” Burley said. The organization asked the council to publicize volunteer opportunities and noted the wide-ranging community benefits of adult literacy, from employability to informed civic participation.

Why it matters: Adult literacy programs relate to workforce readiness, civic participation and poverty reduction. GOALS’ request for volunteers is a specific staffing need that affects program capacity and grant compliance.