40th Anniversary Timeline

Throughout the ‘80s, LVGH expanded throughout the Hartford community, hired its first paid staff, transitioned from one-on-one to small group tutoring, and opened its first computer lab. Adjusting to these changes, LVGH moved around to several different homes during this time, including Asylum Hill Congregational Church, Moylan School, SAND, 110 Washington Street, the YWCA, and St. John’s Church. LVGH couldn’t have grown into what it is today without the early collaboration of these other organizations.

Responding to a critical need in the Hartford community for people from other countries to learn to speak, read, and write English, LVGH adds English as a Second Language tutoring to its programming.

           

LVGH hits a national record for number of volunteers serving 100 hours or more. From the very beginning, our tutor retention rate has always been above the national average.

A small group of dedicated volunteers officially formed Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford on September 27, 1972.  Based at Asylum Hill Congregational Church, the first year’s entire operating budget was just $3,600.  The all-volunteer staff focused on recruiting and training volunteer tutors, who served an impressive 116 Basic Literacy students in the first year.   One-on-one tutoring took place at variety of community sites: churches, libraries, community centers, local corporations like CIGNA, Aetna, and Hartford Hospital- even city parks!