Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County, which has operated locally for more than 40 years, has recently started a new phase of its existence as a cooperative social entrepreneur.
Literacy Volunteers serves adults in the region by providing free one-to-one tutoring in basic literacy, English as a second language, and GED preparation. In recent years, costs of running an office, training tutors, and keeping the records required by funding agencies have risen, but the economy has led the state to cut its adult literacy funding severely.
The concept of social entrepreneurship is that social service agencies can help themselves maintain their services by entering the economy on their own behalf.
In its new location at 21 E. Second Street in Dunkirk, Literacy Volunteers is about to open a used bookstore, sharing space with a private enterprise, Wheel People. This venture is an attempt to fund Literacy Volunteers' usual tutoring services to county residents despite state budget cuts. It is currently looking for another tenant to share its space and facilities.
The space available is an attractive, light-filled, handicapped-accessible 650-square foot office or shop. Its tenant would additionally share the use of a small kitchen and a handicapped-accessible bathroom.
Interested persons can call Minda Rae Amiran, 679-4636, amiran@fredonia.edu, or Literacy Volunteers, 366-4438.
8/17/2010
Literacy Volunteers begins experiment in social entrepreneurship - ObserverToday.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Community Information - Dunkirk | The Observer
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