Promoting Lifelong Learning

Charlotte Learning Center

Welcome to Charlotte Learning Center, where we're dedicated to empowering individuals through adult literacy and lifelong learning, creating a brighter, more connected community.

Our Mission:

About Us

The Charlotte Learning Center, formerly the Charlotte County Literacy Program, was founded in October of 1986. We incorporated into a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, as Charlotte Learning Center, in February of 2004.

Our mission remains the same today as we attempt to reach out to those who can benefit from our programs; thus, improving their lives in all aspects and improving our community.

We promote and foster increased literacy in the Charlotte County area by teaching individuals, providing instructional services to adults that can benefit from Basic Education, and assisting adults for whom English is not their native language. We recruit, train, supervise and support volunteer tutors to help people acquire basic literacy skills, enabling them to achieve broader personal goals. And to provide the most effective learning environment and materials for our students and tutors at little to no cost.

To improve adult literacy and foster lifelong learning in and around Charlotte County one person at a time.

Our Vision:

To maintain a professional, inviting, and comfortable resource where members of our community can seek out our instructional services for knowledge they can apply daily to improve all aspects of their lives as they strive forward in pursuit of happiness. Thus, providing a learning center of which Charlotte county can be proud.

Our Values:

Empowerment: Charlotte Learning Center believes in empowering individuals through education. They recognize that literacy is a fundamental skill that enables individuals to fully participate in society, pursue their goals, and improve their overall quality of life. The organization is dedicated to providing the necessary resources, support, and opportunities for adults to develop their literacy skills, empowering them to reach their full potential.
Respect: Respect is a core value at Charlotte Learning Center. The organization believes in treating every individual with dignity, consideration, and value. They recognize the worth and uniqueness of each learner, regardless of their literacy level or background. Charlotte Learning Center fosters a culture of mutual respect among staff, volunteers, and learners, promoting positive and supportive interactions. By upholding respect, the organization creates a nurturing and inclusive learning environment where individuals feel heard, acknowledged, and encouraged to actively engage in their learning journey.
Community Engagement: Charlotte Learning Center recognizes the importance of community engagement in promoting adult literacy. They actively seek partnerships and collaborations with other organizations, businesses, educational institutions, and community members to collectively address the issue of adult literacy. By fostering a sense of community and collaboration, the organization aims to create a network of support that strengthens the impact of their programs and promotes a culture of lifelong learning within the community.

Legal Organization

Charlotte Learning Center (CLC) is a Virginia non-profit IRS 501(c)(3) organization and is governed by a Board of Directors. All funds, whether income or principal, and whether acquired by gift or contribution or otherwise, shall be devoted to said purposes.

The board is responsible for governing the organization
and ensuring that it succeeds in its mission.

There are three main responsibilities of board members: fiduciary, programmatic, and financial. Board members, working with the staff, are responsible for the recruitment, orientation, on-going education, and evaluation of the board’s membership. Board members must demonstrate continuing interest in the organization’s purpose and goals. Members must be willing to attend board meetings and adhere to board duties and responsibilities as outlined in the director’s manual and bylaws. Specific experience, interest and/or knowledge in at least one of the board’s areas of operation is desired (administration, finance, personnel, program development, planning and evaluation or public relations)

Each board member is encouraged to visit and observe CLC sites or programs. In addition, each member should read and collect information relevant to literacy and literacy programs for circulation among board members and staff.
Each board member is responsible for educating other members about local aspects of his/her committee, program, or event, including community issues, local concerns, relevant regulations, and successes or failings of similar projects.
Each board member is encouraged to attend workshops, seminars, conferences, or other educational opportunities which could expand his or her knowledge about not-for-profit organizations, literacy in general, and CLC in particular.
Each committee chairperson is responsible for providing the materials, human resources, and other information necessary or helpful in educating members of that committee regarding their limited purpose and objectives.

Specific workshops on marketing, public relations, or fundraising will be scheduled when appropriate and when an expert or resource is available.

STAFF

Heather Montgomery,
Program Coordinator

As a GED recipient herself, Heather enjoys sharing the excitement of learning new things and always strives to improve existing skills and gain new ones. In addition to being Program Coordinator at CLC, some of her other accomplishments are that she's a published author, graphic designer, and homesteader with her husband.