Helping Give the Greatest Gift

Posted Friday, June 5, 2026 7:00 am

MONTICELLO – The gift of literacy is one of the greatest gifts you can give to anyone, and Literacy Volunteers of Sullivan County, a 501(c)(3), will continue that gift this year with help from a grant of $2,500 from The Wolf Lake Neighbors Foundation.

Literacy Volunteers will use the grant to continue their 2-hour Wednesday Night English as a Second Language class. The class is offered at the Literacy Center, 63 North Street in Monticello from 7pm to 9pm. The need in Sullivan County is enormous with more that 28% of our residents speaking languages other than English. Additionally, over 20% of adults lack even basic literacy skills in their own language, said Angela Dutcher, Executive Director of Literacy Volunteers.

Literacy is the gateway to a better job, a path to citizenship, a driver’s license and the ability to read a bedtime story or help with homework. It is a fundamental skill of modern life. Literacy Volunteers has been offering professional teaching and one-on-one tutoring from volunteers since 1994. All services are at no cost to the student. Student ages range from 17 years old and up.

Wolf Lake Neighbors Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) Charitable Organization supported by homeowners at nearby Wolf Lake. It is engaged in charitable activities in several Sullivan County locations including Mamakating, Thompson and Monticello.

Jean Eifert, a director of the Wolf Lake Foundation, said, “We support literacy initiatives particularly the adult literacy program.” “In partnership with Literacy Volunteers of Sullivan County, we can make a difference at the local level,” she continued.

Visit literacysullivan.org and wolflakeneighbors.org for more information on supporting our local community.