1. Be a life long learner.
The demands of our workplaces and our world are changing every day. Brush up on your skills.

2. Encourage others to be lifelong learners.
Support your friends, family members, and neighbors who are improving their skills - whether it be reading and writing, getting a diploma or GED, or learning to program computers.

3. Read with your child.
Studies show that parents are the most important teachers of their children. Children learn the importance of reading from those closest to them.

4. Volunteer to tutor.
Many literacy programs are small and depend on the involvement of local community members. They are glad to provide training to potential volunteers.

5. Volunteer to support literacy programs in other ways.
Many literacy programs do not have the funds to pay for support staff, and welcome volunteers to help answer phones and provide other office support.

6. Support friends who want to participate in a literacy program.
If people you know want to participate in a literacy program, offer to take care of their children while they attend class, or to drive learners to and from programs.

7. Donate equipment or other materials.
If your office is getting a new copier, fax machine, or computer, consider donating the old equipment to a literacy program in your community.

8. Donate money.
All literacy programs combined serve fewer than 10 percent of people with literacy needs. More money allows more people to get the help they need.

9. Start a literacy program in your office or refer employees to literacy programs.
Make sure your office provides access to training to employees, and that courses are presented as a positive opportunity to improve your skills.

10. Strengthen the links between literacy programs and other community groups.
If you volunteer at another program in your community - such as a homeless shelter - make sure employers are aware of literacy programs and how to refer potential learners to them.

Links
What is Project READ?
Become a Tutor
Top Ten Frequently Asked Questions
Project READ Newsletter