ABOUT ALP
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ABOUT ALP |
FOR VOLUNTEERS |
The Alexandria Literacy Project (ALP) originated in 1976, when a small group of volunteers were trained as Laubach literacy tutors. In 1982, the ALP became a member of the Alexandria Adult Basic Education program and was incorporated as a nonprofit organization during May 1988. In August 1988, the ALP became based out of the Runestone Regional Learning Center. The Alexandria Literacy Project has been an agency of United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties since 1987.
ALP services are provided through a network of support volunteers and volunteer tutors who are trained to work one-to-one with adult learners privately at home or at a community site. The ALP is an associate program of the Minnesota Literacy Council and cooperates with a network of community programs to meet the needs of adult learners in Douglas County, Minnesota, and area communities. The ALP is also a Volunteer Program Affiliate of ProLiteracy America, a national volunteer organization.
The Alexandria Literacy Project offers free, confidential, one-to-one basic skills and English-as-a-second-language tutoring for adults as well as drop-in computer/learning circle activity nights for ALP adult learners. ALP-trained classroom volunteers also assist learners in the ABE/GED classroom.
During its 2009-10 program year, the ALP served 60 program participants (learners) through one-to-one or small group tutoring and computer/learning circle activity nights. these adult learners accuulated 978 contact hours in the program and 68 hours working independently toward their learning goals. Total participant hours exceeded 1,000 hours. Additionally, at least another 15 Adult Basic Education classroom learners received instruction from ALP classroom volunteers and ALP peer tutors. Forty-two ALP volunteers, including 32 one-to-one tutors and ABE classroom volunteers, as well as 10 support volunteers, donated more than 1,900 hours toward the adult literacy effort.
There is no typical learner. Many of the adults served by ALP volunteers cannot or will not attend regularly scheduled adult basic education classroom programs. Because of multiple jobs, lack of child care, transportation problems, family commitments or special learning needs, many of these adults need the confidential, free, flexible, individual assistance provided by trained volunteer tutors. Twenty-seven of the adult learners served through one-to-one or small group tutoring and computer/learning circle activity nights during the 1009-10 program year were males and 33 were females. Approximately 65% (39 learners) were between the ages of 25-59. English was the second language for 23 adult learners.
ALP revenue sources include United Way allocations; contributions and grants from area businesses, foundations, service organizations and churches; income from instructional book sales; workshop registration fees; and interest. Also, in-kind support is received from Alexandria Adult Basic Education, businesses and individuals.
The ALP has an ongoing need to seek adequate funding for instructional materials, equipment acquisition, tutor training and support, volunteer recognition, etc.
ALP relies on volunteers to tutor our learners and perform other support functions. For information about how you can get involved, contact
Rollie Finke, Coordinator
Alexandria Literacy Project
1204 Hwy 27 W, Room 907
Alexandria, MN 56308
Phone: 320.762.3312
Fax: 320.762.3313
Email: rfinke@alexandria.k12.mn.us