Hailing from 81 different countries and speaking 52 different languages, 1500 adult learners come to LCNV each year to learn the basics of reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English. A dedicated team of 450 volunteers delivers beginning-level English classes while concurrently introducing learners to important resources related to voting, employment, finances, health, and more. Many students progress into advanced, skill-based classes, or join Destination Workforce, a new program that builds the foundational literacy and soft skills needed to obtain and succeed in entry-level jobs. In partnership with public schools, a family literacy program provides English instruction for parents while their children read, write, and get help with their homework. LCNV served its 50,000th learner in 2018, and demand continues to grow. For our immigrant neighbors, English opens doors to education, employment, community engagement – and to greater understanding.

Headquarters: VA-Fairfax County

Where They Operate: VA-Arlington County; VA-Fairfax County; VA-City of Alexandria; VA-City of Fairfax; VA-City of Falls Church

Age Groups Served: Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Adult (25-49)

Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members

Schools They Work In: Crestwood Elementary School; Glasgow Middle School; John Adams Elementary School


  • Adult learners served annually:   Over 1,500
  • LCNV-trained volunteers providing hours of service annually:   530 volunteers provide over 20,000 hours
  • Students who completed 40 hours of instruction and improved by an educational level in FY 2016:   77%
  • Students in the Family Learning Program reported increased involvement in their children's education in FY 2016:   86%

Awards & Recognition

-LCNV-AmeriCorps Instructor Kat Contreras received Blackboard's prestigious Teacher Appreciation Month recognition.
- LCNV Board President Kitty Porterfield selected as 2015 Nonprofit Board Leader of the Year in Alexandria
- The White House selected LCNV’s AmeriCorps classroom instructor Xavier Munoz as one of the ten recipients of the 2014 Cesar E. Chavez “Champion of Change” award in 2014.

Press

Budget (FY2014)

  • $3 million or higher
  • The current budget for Literacy Council of Northern Virginia is: $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

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