An organization battling illiteracy remains a strong resource for Beaufort County residents.

For 15 years, Beaufort County’s chapter of Literacy Volunteers has worked with people of all ages to hone skills in reading, writing and other subjects such as math. The main purpose is to promote literacy, with each of its approximately 18 volunteers paired with students, according to Chloe Hudson, secretary of the nonprofit’s board.

“Each person who comes to us has specific goals,” Hudson said. “For some, it’s a GED. For some, it’s a student at Beaufort County Community College in a math class. We’re always trying to promote and let people know we’re out there.”

A lot of work the nonprofit does is related to helping people obtain CRCs (Career-Readiness Certificates), a certification that some employers require of their applicants to be considered for hire, Hudson said. Many of its tutors and board members are retired educators and administrators. In some cases, if a student is not able to come to the organization’s center, tutors travel to churches, libraries and anywhere else available to meet for instruction.

Annually, Literacy Volunteers hosts two primary fundraisers: a card party held in September, with admission to the event used to fund programs and outreach, and a fundraiser held at Pizza Inn each February. In addition, other funds are secured through donations from businesses and private citizens, as well as money from Havens Gardens Charitable Trust Fund, Hudson said.

“I think if you truly love to read and you truly want to make a difference in someone’s life, to teach them to read, you just have to really want to do it,” Hudson said. “It’s just an intrinsical reward. We try to be creative and get out there (in the community). There’s a big need in the county.”

Literacy Volunteers of Beaufort County is located at 1385 John Small Avenue in Washington. For more information, call 252-974-1812 or visit on Facebook at facebook.com/Literacy-Volunteers-of-Beaufort-County/.