[Zoom], but they continued to meet on the phone, and some just stopped altogether because of the unknown.” By June 2021, LCLC was able to reopen with a reconfigured office space that was more friendly to social distancing. The team has also spent the new year gearing up for in-person events like Scrabble Scramble and the fifth-annual Reading Between the Wines. Last year’s Reading Between the Wines saw small groups meet at host homes to enjoy the festivities streamed live via Facebook. Of course, navigating these unprecedented changes requires a well-oiled machine of dedicated individuals, and Butts is quick to tout her team as one with a “heart to serve.” Auburn University graduate students Austin Pearson and Natasha Demick are two AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers who were drawn to the literacy cause through LCLC and decided to join. Both are pursuing a master’s degree in public administration with a focus in nonprofits. “One of the main areas of interest for me is improving the quality of public education, so when I was looking for
struggle to read. And for those who might be wondering what a QR code is or how to use one — among other things technological — there’s an LCLC workshop for that. Auburn undergraduate student Ashley Patton has only spent a few weeks interning with LCLC, but she’s already making her mark as a tutor and facilitator of a digital literacy workshop aimed at helping participants learn how to make the most of their smartphones. “[The workshop] ended up being great … and we were able to help out where we could,” she said. One participant even sent a thank-you note and made a donation, Butts said. “That was unexpected but very welcome. We were glad that we could help that part of the community, even though it wasn’t specifically about reading.” Another program, the “Legacy Learning Project,” is a monthly family literacy program held at Covington Recreation Center in Opelika. Families who complete the program will
“It’s completely free to everybody … just something small that we can try and do.” ~Pearson
internship opportunities, I was trying to find places that I could try to learn more about how the education system has or hasn’t worked for people and be able to get some practical experience along those lines,” Pearson said. “When I was looking around, I saw [LCLC], and I just really liked it. It seemed like it would be a great place to learn.” Pearson joined LCLC in June 2021, and upon completing his internship, he onboarded as the learner engagement coordinator. It’s his job to make sure potential learners are aware of LCLC and how it can benefit them. One project he’s eager to implement is a network of popup libraries. LCLC is in the process of building small bookshelves and identifying community partners willing to host one of these tiny libraries. “We’re going to be trying to set them up in different businesses or recreational hotspots,” Pearson said. “It’s completely free to everybody … just something small that we can try and do.” Butts said the shelves will also contain a QR code linked to a video to make the experience more inclusive for those who
receive a donation of a “starter library” in April. For those learning English as a second language, a bimonthly ESL book club offers a safe space for participants to practice and hone their English skills. Demick, LCLC’s volunteer recruitment coordinator, is currently revamping the organization’s website and social media pages. She said the growing response is “really gratifying,” and she’s using that as a tool to attract a new wave of volunteers. “It feels like a very big community engagement, and everyone is really supportive,” she said.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
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aising awareness of LCLC and its mission remains the organization’s top priority. “We need people to know who we are,” Butts said. “We can’t help anyone if they don’t know we’re here.” She added that no contribution of time, money or talent is
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LIVING TO SERVE
