About Us

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

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.

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.