Literacy Council of Sarasota

Based out of Stillwater, Fla., Eckerd Youth Alternatives has been a provider of youth services for over 35 years. Through some 40 Eckerd programs in eight states, nearly 63,000 youths have passed through an Eckerd program. Eckerd Youth Alternatives operate a camp that was started in 1968 as a place for troubled boys. The institution has developed into a larger multi-state assortment of programs for at-risk/troubled boys and girls. Eckerd Youth Alternatives is a private, nonprofit organization nationally recognized for its programs to help youth. Programs serve boys and girls ages 8-18 who are at risk for or exhibit emotional and behavioral problems at home, school and/or in the community. As a pioneer in therapeutic treatment in outdoor settings, Eckerd Youth Alternatives provides specialized residential treatment and community-based programs for juvenile offenders, early intervention and prevention curriculum in grade schools. The new Transition to Independence program helps foster care youth approaching adulthood.

READ Lakeland, founded in 1995, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Lakeland community by teaching basic literacy skills to adult non-readers. With over 100 volunteers, they provide free one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction to help adults improve their literacy skills, enabling them to read medical instructions, fill out job applications, and read to their children. The organization’s efforts have led to significant achievements, including students obtaining their GED, enrolling in postsecondary education, and passing the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE). Through initiatives like their annual fundraiser, KISS THE PIG, READ Lakeland continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals seeking to improve their literacy and overall quality of life. Generated from the website