About

Grover Whitehurst, Director of the Institute of Education Science, said "There is an 80% probability that a child who is a poor reader in the 1st grade will be a poor reader in the 4th grade and that reading scores in the 10th grade can be predicted with surprising accuracy from knowledge of the alphabet in kindergarten."

We at The Learning Center (formerly Literacy Volunteers of Newton County) believe that creating and sustaining a literate community requires ongoing commitment and collaboration from families, community organizations, schools, businesses, and policy makers. Engaging our neighbors as supporters, volunteers and donors is critical to The Learning Center's efforts to build a stronger, more successful community.

Everyone reaps the benefits of a literate, productive community through a stronger economy, less crime, better schools, increased civic engagement, and ultimately, enhanced quality of life. Together, we can make literacy a reality for every family in Newton County. And when families thrive, our community does as well.

In 2002 we served over 1,600 people. While this is a significant accomplishment, The Learning Center must dramatically expand programming to reach more than ten times that number to begin truly eradicating illiteracy from our community.