LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Kelseyville United Methodist Church has partnered with the Lake County Library Literacy Program to help address low literacy in Lake County.

Initiated by Pastor Isabel Budinger and with a desire to make a difference in the greater community, the church will offer its space for new tutor training, family literacy nights and one-on-one tutoring for learners in need.

On May 7, the church hosted its first literacy information session to share information about services with the community.

On Friday, May 17, the church will offer its first new tutor training, and on Wednesday, June 12, the church will host an all-ages Family Literacy Night with literacy activities, games, free books and more.

In addition to supporting learners in need, a priority for this partnership is to recruit more volunteer literacy tutors for the Adult, English as a Second Language and Lake County Jail literacy programs.

Pastor Budinger especially wants to help serve local migrant workers who are eager to become fluent in the English language. More Spanish bilingual tutors are needed for this purpose.

The Lake County Library Literacy Program provides free training, materials, and ongoing support for volunteer literacy tutors. No experience is necessary to become a literacy tutor. Volunteering is flexible for both the tutor and learner, with sessions typically held once per week for one hour.

According to World Population Review, only 76.9% of those 15 and older — considered the adult category — in California are able to read and write, making literacy an important cause.

If you are interested in becoming a literacy tutor or know someone who could benefit from services, please call 707-263-7633 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Your volunteerism could help change a life.

Visit the Literacy Program’s page on the Lake County Library website.

Georgina Marie Guardado is the Literacy Program coordinator.