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Carol Gabler is the executive director of the Literacy Volunteers of Chippewa Valley (LVCV) in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. LVCV has been recognized as one of the nation's top ten adult education and literacy programs by the U.S. Department of Education, which awarded LVCV its coveted "Secretary's Award for Outstanding Adult Education and Literacy Programs." LVCV offers one-on-one tutoring in adult literacy, family literacy, workplace literacy, and corrections literacy.

"We use the Thinkfinity Literacy Network (LiteracyNetwork) website quite extensively," saysCarol. "We refer to Literacy Challenges and Literacy Facts and Figures to prepare us for speaking and grant writing. They provide us with personal stories, as well as statistics that help us relay the need for our program. We have found that the Promotional Material in the Library also has been very helpful. Before presenting before a local community group, we print off bookmarks, flyers, and brochures to take along.

"My work here has been very rewarding. I'm thinking of one family in particular. Volunteer tutors in our program helped the parents obtain their citizenship. Their child has gone on to college, and will complete her Masters in TESOL as a certified teacher. Soon, she will be helping other immigrant families learn English. Her mother says, 'My circle of friends is strong.' I feel good she counts me as part of that circle. Literacy providers touch so many lives. Those moments motivate us to continue our work. After many years in the field, I think directors can make the biggest impact if they strategically plan to run their literacy business in an ever-changing world. That often requires working closely with the business community.

"Of course, a program such as ours requires resources and community support. Recently, the president of the XCEL Energy Company and WQOW Channel 18 television offered to produce and air a video public service announcement (PSA). The PSA not only brought in new students, it resulted in many calls from individuals who want to volunteer in our program!

"We offer tutor training twice a year at our site. This year, we will use four of the Thinkfinity Literacy Network courses during our fall training. When people call to volunteer, we refer them to Thinkfinity Literacy Network to learn more about volunteering, tutoring adults, and serving in family literacy programs. This way, they can begin their orientation while they wait for the fall tutor training. They appreciate being able to learn more on their own. My advice to potential volunteers is to really look at the need of the organization and try to fill that niche for them. We use volunteers as tutors and board members; in public relations efforts and in fund raising events."