Welcome to Skyline Literacy

skyline — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:32:06 +0000

We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting learning and literacy throughout the Shenandoah Valley. To learn more about the programs we offer, please visit our Services page.

Skyline Literacy History

skyline — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:00:26 +0000

Founded in 1987, Skyline Literacy Coalition began as a coalition of several adult literacy efforts including Laubach Literacy, the local chapter of Literacy Volunteers of America, the Career Enhancement Program, and Massanutten Technical Center, with the goal of serving adult learners with special needs. Skyline Literacy Coalition was serving approximately 100 adult learners at the time. Skyline’s funding was primarily from the Virginia Literacy Foundation and was managed by the Massanutten Technical Center.

In 1990, Skyline Literacy applied for 501-C-3 exemption, became autonomous from MTC and the school system, and received United Way funding for the first time. For two decades, Skyline Literacy offices were located beside the Dayton Learning Center. In May of 2008 the agency moved from Dayton to Harrisonburg and assumed the name Skyline Literacy to better reflect the agency’s independent status.

Over the past 10 years, Skyline Literacy has annually served between 250 and 300 adult learners. Skyline Literacy has also offered Citizenship Preparation classes for the same length of time, with an increasing number of people obtaining citizenship every year. Recognizing the continuing need for developing competency in English among the local adult learner population, Skyline Literacy developed a unique instructional approach whose core elements include:

a focus on the needs of rural areas
individualized instruction for mobility, flexibility, cost savings and best use of community resources
reliance on well-educated, trained volunteers
provision of comprehensive services, including citizenship preparation
partnering with community agencies for integrated delivery of services