A Legacy of Literacy in Aiken
For nearly two years, the foundation of adult literacy in our community was built by the dedicated hands of the late Loretta Beckner and Janet Kabel. As the founders of Literacy SC’s Turning Pages Aiken branch, they recognized that the “Horse District” and surrounding county’s strength lies in its people, and that every person deserves the dignity of being able to read.
Today, that mission continues. Under the leadership of our Branch Coordinator, Amanda Travaglini, we are looking for the next group of neighbors ready to turn the page for an adult learner.
The Impact of One Hour a Week
In Aiken, we don’t use “big classrooms” for our primary tutoring experience. We believe in the power of the local library and of the individual pair. All of Turning Pages Aiken’s tutoring is private and one-on-one, focusing on the specific goals of the adult learner.
- Location: All sessions take place at the Aiken County Public Library (314 Chesterfield St SW) just a block over from Park Avenue and an easy walk from the Aiken County Historical Museum (the old Banksia estate). It’s the perfect quiet corner in the heart of the Historic District. It is a safe, familiar, and quiet environment perfectly suited for learning.
- Commitment: Just one hour per week. This consistent, small investment of time is enough to help an adult move from struggling with basic sounds to confidently reading a job application or a newspaper.
- Support: You are never alone in this. We provide the full curriculum kit, and our support team helps guide you through every milestone.
Why Volunteer with Turning Pages Aiken? Aiken is a city that values its history and its community spirit. By being a tutor you are strengthening our local economy and our neighborhoods. Whether you are a retiree from the Savannah River Site, a local professional, or a neighbor with a heart for service, your life experience makes you a perfect candidate. Whether you’re coming from Woodside Plantation, Cedar Creek, or just around the corner in downtown Aiken, your commute to the library is short, but your impact is lasting. No previous teaching experience is required. You just need a high school diploma, patience, commitment and a desire to help.
Join Us at the Library
If you have one hour a week to spare, you have enough to change a life. All tutors meet their learners in the beautifully renovated Aiken County Public Library where library manager Jessica Christian is already a familiar face to all. If you’re already heading downtown for the Saturday Farmers Market or a stroll through Hitchcock Woods, adding an hour for a tutoring session fits perfectly into an beautiful Aiken afternoon. Join the legacy started by Loretta and Janet and help us keep the Aiken Branch of Turning Pages growing.
How to Get Started:
- Enroll as a Tutor: Fill out our application to get started in our system.
- Volunteer for Other Roles: Give Amanda a call at our dedicated Aiken line (803-679-1990) for info about done in a day events.
- Attend a Workshop: Join us for our next New Tutor Workshop to learn how to work with our Curriculum Kits and get certified by Literacy SC.
- Meet Your Learner: All assignments are self-selected! Watch your email for open assignments from Amanda Travaglini to claim your first learner.
