JoAnn Hitt, board president of Literacy Services of Indian River County, welcomed guests to a Donor Appreciation Reception at the Quail Valley River Club Boat House, and said the event was a wonderful way for the staff and the board to put faces to donor names and to get to know them a little better.
“We want to hear from you; why you give to Literacy Services; what you think we are doing well and what you think we could do better. I’m delighted to say that most of our 12 board members are here today, so please share your thoughts with one of us,” said Hitt.
The only adult literacy organization in the county, Literacy Services is funded entirely through grants, donations and fundraisers. The volunteer tutors of the nonprofit teach English and literacy skills using comprehensive and innovative curriculum to create better futures for its pupils, many of whom are ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students, and their families.
Before turning the floor over to Valerie Kines, LSIRC executive director, Hitt noted that Kines had started with the nonprofit exactly one year ago.
“It has been a great first year and we hope to have many more under Valerie’s leadership,” said Hitt.
Kines showed a new video in which she said that the mission of Literacy Services is to deliver comprehensive, innovative learning opportunities to adults seeking English language and literacy skills to achieve their goals.
“At Literacy Services, we believe in the transformative power of literacy. It’s not just about reading and writing; it’s about unlocking a world of opportunities. Providing free one-on-one and small group English language and citizenship classes and support, and literacy instruction to adults who are working hard to improve their lives and the lives of their families,” said Kines.
“Imagine a community where every adult has the literacy skills to succeed. That is our mission,” said Elida Gomez, program manager, in the video.
Jim Schorner, who has been a Literacy Services tutor for more than 10 years, spoke about the joy of watching a student’s confidence grow as they begin to achieve their goals, which are individualized to each person.
“From struggling with a word or phrase, to reading a full page, speaking in English, or writing a letter to their family; it’s incredibly rewarding,” said Schorner.
Layla Posada, the 2025 ESOL Student of the Year, said in the video that her initial goal was to improve her English, but that what she ultimately found was confidence, community, opportunities and a new future. With the help of her tutors and the conversation club, she received encouragement and friendship, she earned a certification as a plans examiner and she received a promotion within the Indian River County Planning Department.
“Recently, I achieved another goal, becoming a U.S. citizen; something that fills me with pride and honor. Your support makes stories like mine possible. When you contribute to Literacy Services, you’re not just helping someone learn English. You’re giving them the power to change, transform and elevate their lives,” said Posada.
“With your support, whether through time or funding, we’re not just helping learners build confidence and gain employment. We’re planting seeds of literacy that will grow and flourish for generations to come. The impact is not just immediate, it’s generational. Volunteers are the heart of our mission and donors are the backbone that makes it sustainable. Together, we’re not just changing lives, we’re building a stronger, more literate community,” said Kines.
“I want to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for all that you contribute. I’m not just saying the money. What you do is so much more important than dollars. You’re making an impact on families, on adult learners, on the community,” she added.
For more information, visit LiteracyServicesIRC.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
