The Literacy Council of Benton County
Our Mission
To transform the lives of our adult students by teaching them the English skills needed to succeed in life
Our Mission
To transform the lives of our adult students by teaching them the English skills needed to succeed in life
Celebrating 50 Years of Teaching Adults English!
In 1972, a group of community leaders in Bentonville and Rogers wanted to do something for the adults who couldn’t read, write, or speak English. They formed Beaver Lake Literacy Council in what was eventually to become a thriving center of economic and creative growth. They made it known that illiteracy among adults was at a high level and sought volunteers to tutor these adults. At times it was an uphill climb for these founders. They told their friends and neighbors, “A more literate community is a stronger community for everyone.”
They continued for 32 years helping more adults get better jobs, get their high school equivalency diplomas, read the newspaper, and understand the bills they received. During that time, the immigrant population started to explode, and the name of the council was changed in 2004 to better reflect the area being served: Literacy Council of Benton County.
Over 5 decades, LCBC has weathered storms of many kinds—more students than tutors, budget roller coasters, anti-immigrant sentiment, almost closing after the 2008 economic downturn, not to mention Covid19. But persistence, patience, conservative budget management, enthusiastic volunteers, good staff people, and an involved and caring Board of Directors with a “we will prevail” attitude continue to sustain the ongoing effort to address the 26% adult illiteracy rate in our county. As one tutor once said, “I love tutoring. I know I am making a good, lasting difference in someone’s life.”
We anticipate our next 50 years with a re-vamping of this website, and a continued search for the best methods to teach adults, keeping in mind our diverse student body. (Our students range from never being in school to holding advanced degrees from their native country.) Every decision we make needs to answer the question “but will it help our students?” with a resounding YES!
Everyone at LCBC thanks you for your interest and support over the last 50 years and asks you to continue that interest and support in the coming years. We rely on our neighbors and friends wanting to improve our community through literacy.
Vicki Ronald, Executive Director
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