Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 3, 1994                   TAG: 9411030103
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CLAUDINE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

LITERACY PROGRAM GETS AWARD FROM FOUNDATION

But Roanoke's Literacy Volunteers of America took the spotlight when it was recognized as an "Outstanding Literacy Program" by the Virginia Literacy Foundation.

The Literacy Volunteers of America-Roanoke serves Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke counties and the cities of Salem and Roanoke. Its tutoring programs helped 457 adults during 1993-94.

Organizers say there are about 41,000 people in the service area who are functionally illiterate.

The organization also provides after-school tutoring, volunteer classroom tutors and an English-as-a-second-language program.

Literacy Volunteers of America-Roanoke is budgeted to spend about $80,000 a year, said Alan Brittle, a former Roanoke County supervisor who is executive director of the organization. But last year the group had to operate on about $25,000 in donations and grants.

None of the services was cut, but organizers say they are digging into the group's savings.

And they say the $2,500 award from the literacy foundation helped.

"We are not in as good a shape as we were about three years ago," Brittle said. "We're doing more with less."

The group is headed by a board of directors that meets quarterly to oversee long-term planning.

Four years ago, Nancy Francisco took on the full-time job of directing day-to-day planning and coordinating the group's 200 volunteers.

"If there were ever a perfect job for me, it is this one," Francisco said. "I love what I do."

Most people who seek the group's help are in their mid-40s. Many have full-time jobs and families.

They hear about the program from other nonreaders who encourage them to come to the center and learn.

Prospective volunteers complete an 18-hour training workshop conducted by Francisco. The group then matches volunteers with learners.

Volunteers meet with learners about once a week and teach basic reading skills using tools such as driving manuals and short novels.

"When someone can go to the grocery store for the first time using their own list, that is a real accomplishment," Francisco said. "When a parent picks up a child and can read them a book, that is a real accomplishment."

The Virginia Literacy Foundation offers grants and technical assistance to more than 75 private, volunteer literacy groups and more than 4,500 tutors. The foundation established the awards in 1989 to recognize volunteer groups and individuals who have made a significant contribution toward literacy.

Other winners include Vaughan Furniture Company, Galax Outstanding Literacy Program in Existence For Less Than Five Years; Bobby Joe Small, Falls Church, Outstanding Adult Learner; Anne Coffey, Concord, Outstanding Adult Tutor; Dan River Mills, Danville, Outstanding Support by a Group or Organization; Mary Thomas Carswell, Providence Forge, Jeanie P. Baliles Award; and The Literacy Fair of Virginia, Outstanding Project by a Literacy Group.