For more than 50 years, Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County has helped to build a more literate society by providing free, confidential tutoring to adults and out-of-school teens in reading, writing, and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL).  Founded in 1968 under the sponsorship of Church Women United, the office at the First United Presbyterian Church in Troy opened in 1977. The program began with basic literacy students and later included ESOL students.

Following the model created by Ruth Colvin and Literacy Volunteers of America, Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County recruits and trains volunteers to be tutors. LVORC serves more than 200 learners annually, with programs including one-to-one tutoring and small group instruction in reading and writing, English as a new language, math, financial literacy, computer literacy, workplace literacy, citizenship preparation and reading mentors for children in elementary school.

A professional staff supports more than 100 volunteer tutors, as well as a corps of tutor trainers, event planners, and board members who make our programs run. Our funding is provided by State and Federal agencies as well as corporate sponsors, granting organizations and foundations, and individual donors.

For more details about our history, click here.