Literacy Services

These figures are representative of services provided in recent years by Neighbors Along The Line:

2007 Literacy Statistics

• 10 students fully passed their GED tests.  (According to the U.S. DOL, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2001, the median annual earnings of workers aged 25 and over with a High School Diploma or GED is $7,400 higher than those of a worker without.)
• On average, 12 people attended Life Skills Classes each month
• On average, 13 students received (non-GED) tutoring each month
• Over 400 clients used our Literacy Lab over 2,000 times for over 3,000 hours.
• On average, our "serious" student is a single, 21 year-old, Caucasian female who left school in tenth grade and has a household income of $12,000 or less per year.  About half of these women have at least one child and almost 100% either live with someone (usually family) or rent their homes.  Home ownership is almost nonexistent among these clients.

Neighbors Along The Line Literacy services include GED (High School Equivalency test) training, tutoring to all ages, free Internet access, a community library and life skills classes.

• GED training at NATL is a free, computer-based, self-guided program with one-on-one tutorial help as needed.  Students receive lesson plans based on individual needs.  The GED lab is open any time the building is open, and new students can start any time.  The actual test must be taken at a state sponsored testing site and costs $60.00.  NATL will pay the testing fee for eligible clients who complete a small number of community service hours.  All successful graduates receive a free computer.
• We can provide information on contacts and options for continuing education.
• Tutoring is available to all ages and grade levels.
• Free access to the Internet is available for research and communication during any of our regular business hours.  Some age and conduct restrictions may apply.
• Our Lending Library is open any time the building is open.  A wide variety of books are available, from fiction and non-fiction to reference.
• Our Books Are Cool program provides free books to kids aged 4 - 12.
• We often have jobs posted on our Job Board.  Job searches and on-line job applications can be done in our computer lab.  We also offer resume help by appointment.
• Computer Training in:  Typing, Microsoft Office Applications, the written portion of the Driver's Ed exam, the military entrance exam and children's educational programs.
• Life Skills is our newest offering, consisting of a series of classes aimed at helping people in their every day lives.  In a confusing and demanding world, life skills classes offer people knowledge and resources to meet its challenges.  Classes include topics like:  Parenting, Home Buying, Financial matters (budgeting, balancing checkbooks, etc.), Health information (Diabetes management, nutrition, etc.), and Personal Safety, just to name a few.
• We also offer a Children's program.  During the summer NATL hosts the Reading Railroad, a five-week reading program aimed at local elementary school kids.

All our services are free of charge, however we always welcome volunteers or contributions.  For more information or to enroll in any of our programs, please call 584.1111, or through email.