In our 46th year of service, the York County Literacy Council (YCLC) continues its mission to teach literacy skills, in English, to empower adults for successful engagement in the home, workplace, and community.
YCLC provides a variety of FREE classes for adults in York County.
Adult Reading Program
York County Literacy Council (YCLC)’s Adult Reading program assists fluent English-speaking adults (18 years and older) to improve their reading, writing, spelling, math, computer, and study skills. Students may be placed in an appropriate level classroom, and/or matched with a trained tutor for weekly one-to-one or small-group tutoring sessions.
Adult Learners Class
The Adult Learners Class (level 1-3) is based on Reading Horizon’s Discovering Intensive Phonics; a remedial reading program that incorporates the multisensory approach in its curriculum. Students attend weekly classes and have the opportunity to also participate in the online program.
High School Equivalency (HSE) Preparation Classes
There are a number of preparation classes offered weekly to prepare students for the high school equivalency testing. These include HSE (level 8-12), Pre-HSE (level 4-7), ReEntry HSE (level 8-12). Instructors prepare students to succeed in taking the GED® or HISET® exams to earn their HSE diploma.
Math Class
This multi-leveled math class focuses on the numeracy skills needed to pass the HSE exams, enter higher education or training programs, and for employment.
English as a Second Language Program
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Program serves increasingly diverse members of the York community, with an average of 60 countries represented in the ESL Program each year. The program offers classroom instruction with Pre-Lit, Beginner, Low-Intermediate, Intermediate, and Advanced levels of instruction. The focus of the ESL program is to improve conversation skills with a focus on speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. English Language Civics Classes provide insight into life in the U.S.A. and help students prepare for the Naturalization Interview and Test. ESL is open to all York County residents (18 years and older) who would like to learn or improve their English literacy skills. Students may be placed in an appropriate level class, or they may be matched with a trained tutor.
Next Step Program
YCLC’s Next Step Program offers YCLC students and former students support services that are a crucial part of their workplace and career success. These services are adapted to the individual client’s goals and may include referrals and assistance with finding job openings, writing résumés, interviewing effectively, applying to continuing education, finding resources to pay for tuition, fees, and other expenses in pursuing skills development or job training.
Career Exploration
The Next Step Coordinator offers workshops and presentations like; “What’s Out There for Me?”, “Interviewing Effectively”, “Résumés Writing” and other career-oriented workshops for YCLC classroom students.
Next Step Program also partners with schools and training providers to deliver Foundation for Success which focuses on study skills, conflict resolution, time management, communication and organizational skills, and business etiquette needed to be successful in higher education and the workplace. When Foundation for Success is added to YCLC’s healthcare, Information Technology, and Manufacturing careers, students find themselves better prepared to achieve their continuing education and career goals in these focused areas.
Classroom Presentations
To complement our core programs, YCLC hosts presentations that facilitate health, workplace, and financial literacies in the classroom. Past presentations have included Credit Reports and Scores, A Balanced Budget, Nutrition, Resume Writing, and the “What’s Out There for Me” series which welcomes community and business leaders to educate our students about specific career fields.
Digital Literacy Center
YCLC’s Digital Learning Center offers beginning and intermediate-level digital literacy classes and Digital Literacy Lab hours for individualized support. Educational software and online educational programs are also available and allow students to enhance the classroom and tutoring lessons. The Digital Learning Center is open during normal business hours. To schedule a session with our Digital Literacy Instructor Associate, please contact Mary at MHumber@yorkliteracy.org or by calling 717-845-8719 ext 1000.
High School Equivalency Testing Center
YCLC is the only Certified HiSET® High School Equivalency Test Center in York County. To register for testing or for more information about HiSET® visit https://hiset.ets.org
Literacy in the Workplace (LIW)
LIW provides York County businesses and community agencies with customized Adult Basic Literacy and ESL instruction. This fee-for-service program addresses your business’s specific needs by providing literacy instruction to your employees at the worksite. Our LIW offers a tailor-made curriculum to help maximize production, decrease waste, and improve communication for your business. Contact Kim Swindle, Adult Programs Manager, for more information at 717-845-8719 ext. 1009.
Volunteers and Tutors
Members of the community are invited to volunteer with YCLC. There are several volunteer opportunities available including tutoring adult students. Anyone interested in becoming a YCLC Volunteer or Tutor should contact Rita Hewitt, Community Relations Manager for more information at 717-845-8719 ext. 1003.
It is estimated there are approximately 40,000 adults in York County who are functionally illiterate. YCLC services are free and confidential.
Transformation
Transformation takes place in many forms. As York County Literacy Council strives to help adults of York County transform their lives by providing free adult education, we have launched a transformation into a new site. After many years of enjoying the space at the United Way Building, it was time to move into a location that provided additional space. We are now located at 1416 6th Ave., York, Pa. 17403. We are excited to be here and look forward to utilizing our new classrooms and welcoming visitors. We continue to follow the CDC guidelines for virus protection.
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