Causes: Adult Education, Education, Job Training, Literacy, Remedial Reading & Encouragement

Mission: The mission of the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia (LCNV) is to teach adults the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English so they can access employment and educational opportunities and more fully and equitably participate in the community.

Results: LCNV serves 1,500 adults per year, who hail from 95 countries, speak 58 different languages, and support over 1,600 dependent children. Classes are held in locations around the region, in partnership with organizations like local libraries, community centers, businesses and Fairfax County and Alexandria City Public Schools. LCNV also offers a number of online classes with live instruction. LCNV is Virginia's largest and oldest nonprofit literacy organization, recognized through many awards including its selection in the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington as one of the region’s best community-based charities, and its inclusion as Parade magazine’s outstanding charity for Virginia. Established in 1962 by a grassroots group of volunteers, LCNV has served over 55,000 students in 59 years. This past year, 15 staff members worked with more than 450 trained volunteers who gave over 17,000 hours of service.

Target demographics: Adult English language learners

Direct beneficiaries per year: 1500 learners

Geographic areas served: Northern Virginia and Washington, D. C.

Programs: Beginning-Level English Classes, Family Literacy Classes, and Workforce Development Training