History
Chatham County Literacy Council is a non-profit agency that helps adults who live or work in Chatham County develop the educational and literacy skills they need to reach their goals. Because we are community-based and volunteer-driven, we are able to focus on promoting adult literacy in our community one person at a time.
Chatham Literacy offers free, confidential, one-on-one and small-group instruction in reading, writing, basic math, computer literacy, ESLOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learning, and preparation for citizenship and for high school equivalency. In addition, we offer Soft Skills training. In cooperation with local businesses and the community at large, this program helps employees, under-employed individuals and the unemployed learn the “soft skills” that are expected of them in the workplace, including communication, attitude, teamwork, networking, problem solving and critical thinking, cultural differences, and professionalism.
Tutoring is offered at convenient locations throughout the county.
Chatham Literacy was created in 1988 as a “friends helping neighbors” group and was reorganized in 2008 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We work in partnership with Central Carolina Community College and other non-profits to enlist and train volunteer tutors and to provide services.
The economic growth of Chatham County depends on a literate work force. Chatham Literacy is working to ensure that local residents are prepared when the new jobs envisioned for Siler City, Moncure, and Pittsboro become reality.
More About Our History
Want to read more about our history? For a detailed account of our beginnings and growth, visit this page.
Mission, Vision, Values
MISSION
The Chatham County Literacy Council helps adults, living or working in Chatham County, N.C., acquire the literacy and educational skills they need to function successfully in society.
VISION
Chatham County will be a community where everyone is literate.
VALUES
COMMUNITY: We value a community in which all residents have the literacy skills to succeed.
CULTURAL COMPETENCE: We value diversity and racial equity. We will maintain cultural awareness and be deliberately inclusive.
EXCELLENCE: We value best educational practices.
FOCUS ON STUDENTS: We value each person we serve, providing individualized instruction aimed at achieving their literacy goals.
SUSTAINABILITY: We value change that makes a difference in people’s lives over the long run.
OUR COLLEAGUES: We value all who contribute their unique talents, time and resources to fulfilling our mission.
Organizational Goals
1) Develop or enhance relevant programs that meet community needs.
2) Strengthen economic sustainability of the organization.
3) Increase Chatham community awareness, to potential students, stakeholders, and community at large, of our services and how to access them.
4) Implement a rigorous, comprehensive evaluation process to communicate adult learner progress and the efficiency and effectiveness of our programs.
5) Integrate Cultural Competence into everything we do.
6) Enhance the recruitment, development, retention and transitions of learners, tutors, staff and board directors
Staff
Staff Contact List
Office Phone: 919-742-0578
| Vicki Newell Executive Director vicki@chathamliteracy.org | Oscar Manzanarez Administrative Assistant oscar@chathamliteracy.org | |
| Loyda Estrada Program Coordinator loyda@chathamliteracy.org | Leslie Ocampo Program Coordinator leslie@chathamliteracy.org | |
| DJ Lynch Bookkeeper denise@chathamliteracy.org | Veda Williams Communications & Outreach Coordinator veda@chathamliteracy.org | |
Vicki Newell
Executive Director
Vicki Newell has been executive director of Chatham County Literacy Council since 2011 and was tutor coordinator for two years before that. While staying home for six years to raise her three sons, she volunteered on the boards of Family Violence and Rape Crisis Services and the PTA of Pittsboro Elementary School. Vicki worked for six years as the health specialist with the Smart Start Initiative at the state and Chatham County levels. Vicki has a master’s degree in health communication from Johns Hopkins University. She was in the Peace Corps and speaks French and Tshiluba. You can reach her at 919-542-6424 or at vicki@chathamliteracy.org.
Loyda Estrada
Program Coordinator
Loyda Estrada has been involved with Chatham Literacy since 2013. She began as a volunteer interpreter in the citizenship class and then herself became a citizen through the same program in 2014. Soon after, Loyda became an employee at Chatham Literacy, working as the Student Coordinator until she resigned in 2018 to follow her dream of obtaining her Business Administration degree at CCCC.
She is a very proud Entrepreneur with her own cleaning and remodeling businesses. She has a strong faith and loves to spend time with family and friends, her favorite sport is volleyball.
She believes that giving back to the community is very important and does so in a variety of ways. Loyda is happy to be back with Chatham Literacy (her family) once more!
Leslie Ocampo
Program Coordinator
Leslie Ocampo gradated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor’s degree in political science and global and international studies. Leslie first became familiar with Chatham Literacy in 2011 when her parents became citizens through our citizenship program. Leslie is a Siler City native and has previously worked with Chatham YMCA as an After-School counselor and as a Family Service Counselor at Chatham Memorial Park.
Contact Leslie at leslie@chathamliteracy.org or 919-742-0578.
Joselyn Villaseñor
Program Coordinator
Joselyn Villaseñor majored in Sociology at North Carolina State University where she became passionate about making quality education accessible to people in marginalized communities. As a first-generation college student, Joselyn understands how education and literacy are instruments of change and agency. In college, she was a part of several student-run organizations that focused on sustainability, personal development, and Latinx culture.
In her free time, Joselyn enjoys watching Netflix, traveling, and spending time with family.
Contact Joselyn Villaseñor at Joselyn@chathamliteracy.org or 919-742-0578.
Oscar Manzanarez
Administrative Assistant
Oscar Manzanarez studied at North Carolina State University for 2 years in the pursuit of a Wildlife Biology degree but placed that on hold due the pandemic. Oscar is currently experiencing new opportunities (one of which is his position at Chatham Literacy) to help him revitalize his future goals. Due to his deep interest in animals, he has grown up with all sorts of creatures that roam around his farm. From horses to cows to even parrots, his passion for animal care will always entice him to one day work with animals.
Oscar is the oldest of seven siblings and is heavily family oriented. As a first-generation college student, he wants to lead by example for his family and wants to give back to his community in any way possible.
Oscar enjoys traveling, going to art museums, taking pictures and listening to music. Oscar is extremely motivated to work with Chatham Literacy.
You can email Oscar at: oscar@chathamliteracy.org
Denise Lynch
Bookkeeper
Denise Lynch is the bookkeeper for Chatham Literacy. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She has worked in the non-profit sector since 2004. Her knowledge of the QuickBooks software has enabled Chatham Literacy to improve and streamline their accounting operations. Denise has worked with Chatham Literacy since 2012.
Her email address is denise@chathamliteracy.org or 919-742-0578.
Veda Williams
Communications and Outreach Coordinator
Veda Williams is the Communications and Outreach Coordinator for Chatham Literacy. Her role involves managing the social media of the organization, taking photos and videos, and writing stories to support our marketing efforts. She has worked in many different types of organizations, and brings nearly 25 years of web development and media production experience to the position. Veda has worked with Chatham Literacy since October of 2023.
Her email address is veda@chathamliteracy.org or 919-593-1721.
Board of Directors
Malinda Marsh
Board Vice-Chair
Malinda has years of experience working local, state and federal government and not-for-profit organizations in assisting individuals with multiple barriers to employment.
Malinda is the Coordinator of the Chatham County NCWorks Career Center in Pittsboro, NC for Central Carolina Community College and the Triangle South Workforce Development Board. Malinda is responsible for the overall management of the NCWorks Career Center. Malinda facilitated the North Carolina Workforce Commission’s certification for the Chatham County NCWorks Career Center as a Tier I center by increasing partnerships and integrated service delivery. Malinda promotes the services available within the career center to both employers and jobseekers, serving both youth and adults to strengthen the workforce in Chatham County.
Malinda is a Reentry Instructor, NC Trainer, Career Coach and has numerous other certifications. Malinda is also the President of the North Carolina Employment and Training Association.
James Nass
Board Chair
Jim has served the citizens of Chatham County and more specifically Pittsboro as Chair of the Pittsboro ABC Board; Chair of the Affordable Housing task force; Chair of the Chatham Park
Additional Elements Committee; Board member of Main Street Pittsboro and as Mayor of Pittsboro.
Jim is the proud father of four children and grandfather to five grandchildren.
Tim White
Board Treasurer
Tim White enjoyed a 45 year insurance career in management and technical roles. His specialties included higher education and non-profits. His experience included serving as Executive Director and CEO of a non-profit providing insurance and risk management services for churches nationally. Volunteer highlights were elementary/junior high school board member, active in church as moderator, member of deacon, financial and stewardship committees and leading “Oxy Amigos” in college working with families to build their homes in Tijuana, Mexico. He is an ESOL tutor for Chatham Literacy.
Tim was raised in Latin America by missionary parents living in Cuba and Chile. He has a B.A. from Occidental College, Los Angeles, in Anthropology with a Latin American Emphasis as well as insurance designations CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) and ARM (Associate in Risk Management). He is married to Lynn Rowland White and has three daughters and four grandchildren. Tim and Lynn live in Pittsboro.
Kelly Clark Boldt
Board Director
Kelly Clark Boldt spent 30 years working in the area of Public Finance either managing state and local governmental finances, directing the capital budget for AMTRAK, representing cities and states in the municipal bond market and serving as Chief Financial Officer for several non-profit organizations. She has served on non-profit boards in the United States and Bolivia, where she lived most of the last 20 years. Kelly loves working with youth and has done so in different ways, including having a small business with youth in villages in Bolivia.
Beth Coulombe
Board Director
Lisbeth (“Beth”) began her career as an attorney before becoming a hospital registered nurse. She transitioned to leadership as a unit and clinic manager in women’s health.
For the last eight years prior to retirement, she served as clinical director for outpatient services responsible for outpatient compliance, outpatient clinical education, a staffing resource pool and occupational health. She has experience in operations and strategic planning, education and training, program development, process improvement, community outreach, healthcare technology and regulatory/clinical compliance.
Her interest in promoting literacy and knowledge goes back to her grade school through high school years when she was a reading tutor. Since retiring, she has become an active volunteer in local community groups where she is involved in program development, education, and grants program coordination. She is also on the board of directors of an out of state non-profit organization supporting the arts.
Tom Craig
Board Director
Tom Craig is a U.S. Navy Submarine Service veteran with 9 years of military service. He retired from the nuclear power industry after a combined 47 years working as a Navy nuclear plant operator and trainer, a commercial Senior Reactor Operator and an Operations Training Instructor.
Tom has extensive experience teaching in the classroom setting and providing one-on-one and team coaching to drive individual and team performance improvement. He also has extensive experience in adult curriculum design, development and evaluation, including experience managing training programs and providing training for instructors. Tom completed his college education while working full time and raising a family, earning a Bachelors Degree in Human Resources Management and a Master Degree in Adult Education; he understands the challenges adults face balancing family life with work and education.
Alirio Estevez
Board Director
Alirio is an ESL teacher in Siler City Elementary School. He has been an educator for 27 years and an ESL teacher in the United States for 19. He has taught at different levels: elementary, middle and high school, and college in his native Colombia. He immigrated from Colombia in 2000 and became an American citizen in 2013.
Ed McCraw
Board Director
Ed is a retired senior corporate executive who served as a vice president and senior business leader with MasterCard and Verizon Corporation in New York. During his career, he led corporate functions that included: integrated marketing and public relations programs, media relations, employee communications, financial communications, government and community relations, and corporate philanthropy.
After retiring, Ed moved to Chapel Hill, where he has taught in the MBA program at UNC’s business school for nine years. Ed is also a marketing consultant and has worked with diverse clients including the American Medical Association, the US Military, and the EPA. He has consulted with or spoken at eight universities in the US. In addition, he has developed strategic plans or marketing/communications plans for 12 nonprofits in the Triangle on a volunteer basis.
He is currently a member of the Marketing Committee for the North Carolina Symphony.
Jason Reed
Board Director
Jason has spent his career working in the clinical research/pharmaceutical industry. He currently works at UCB Biopharma in Strategic Partnering, based in the US out of Atlanta, GA with their global headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. He has experience in proposal/grant development, partnership management and governance, finance, operations, and patient safety across the clinical research organizations he has worked at over the course of his career.
Additionally, he volunteers as Chair of the Audit Committee for the PTA at Pittsboro Elementary. Jason lives in Moncure with his wife and three kids.
Shvaughn Ross
Board Director
Shvaughn J. Ross was born and raised in Chatham County, NC. She is the mother of a beautiful, young inspiring artist and motherhood is one of her proudest accomplishments.
She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Family and Community Services from East Carolina University and her Master of Science Degree in Higher Education from Capella University. She has her Ruffalo Noel Levitz Certification in Enrollment Management and is a
member of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education.
Her employment background includes mental health services, public education K-12, higher education, and public health. She is currently employed with the Chatham County Public Health Department’s Environmental Health Division as a Food and Lodging Specialist. At her place of employment she is also an active member of their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and plays a vital role in helping institutionalize policies that help support equity for all employees. Her previous position with the county as the Lead Case Manager/Social Worker for the Community Alternatives Program (CAP) provided her with the opportunity to manage the care of disabled adults and elderly population. She was also a contractual employee for Central Carolina Community College as a GED Instructor and a Special Education Teacher Assistant for the Chatham County Public School System.
In her spare time she is a volunteer Birth Doula for UNC Birth Partners. She became a doula because she is committed to decreasing maternal health related disparities affecting all women, especially women of color. She feels honored to provide them with continuous and
compassionate support before, during, and after childbirth.