Affiliated Programs of the San Diego Council on Literacy
Central to the literacy effort in San Diego County is the work of the 35 programs that are affiliated with the San Diego Council on Literacy. Annually, they serve over 100,000 residents of all ages, at no cost. We are honored to work in partnership with dedicated organizations who provide tutoring, literacy resources, and support to the community.
Reach Out and Read San Diego
P.O. Box 22212
San Diego, CA 92192
(619) 281-2273 (Meredith Kennedy, Executive Director)
(858) 361-4644 (Tara Milbrand)
Program Director: Tara Milbrand
Project Assistant: Margaret Nelson
Email: tmilbrand@aapca3.org
Website: http://www.rorsd.org
Description: Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based program that believes all families should have access to books and the meaningful moments that are created by shared reading with children. By integrating reading into pediatric practices, advising families about the importance of reading aloud, and giving books at well-child visits, we foster enduring family bonds between caregivers and their children that promote healthy childhood development. Reach Out and Read San Diego serves more than 122,000 families in 113 pediatric clinics throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties, with a focus on low-income and underserved communities. Reach Out and Read builds on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers to develop critical early reading skills in children beginning at birth. Reading aloud with young children makes a meaningful difference, preparing them to succeed academically and intellectually, strengthening their social-emotional skills, and helping them build lasting relationships with the adults in their lives.
P.O. Box 1914
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Ph: (442) 358-6518
Learning Academy Founder: Joann Stang
Email: managing.director@borregobasic.org
Managing Director: Nidia Meza
Website: www.Borregobasic.org
Description: BASIC is committed to empowering youth and adults in Borrego Springs to realize their educational dreams through a comprehensive Cradle-to-Graduation journey, from early childhood to college success. Our programs start with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, delivering books directly to children ages zero to five, igniting a lifelong love of reading, fostering reading routines, and building home libraries. Bilingual families strengthen their early literacy with the Latino Family Literacy Project, supporting reading practices before children enter preschool and kindergarten. Our TK Academy supports Transitional Kindergarten-aged children by developing foundational skills such as letter and number recognition and social readiness for school. The Learning Academy provides a dedicated summer enhancement focused on literacy, math, and English fluency, helping students gain confidence and stay on track. We continue our support through scholarships, FAFSA and college guidance, and mentorship, encouraging and equipping youth to turn aspirations into achievements. At BASIC, this is more than programming; it’s our heartfelt promise to uplift every learner, ensuring opportunity for all and leaving no student behind.
2114 National Ave
San Diego, CA 92113
(619) 232-4686
Contact: Yasmin Davidson
Email: yasmin@blci.org
Website: www.blci.org
Description: We believe all students should have the option to go to college. Education provides individuals with the knowledge, opportunities and skills to become full and active participants in society. We start preparing kids for college and careers through after school programs that begin in third grade and support them through college completion. Our programs are open from 3:30pm to 8pm Monday through Thursday and we conduct educational field trips on weekends. Our weekly Steps to Success Workshops for middle and high school students focus on important academic and personal skills such as time management, essay writing, college applications and admissions, community service, and standardized test prep. BLCI students also receive individual guidance as they apply to San Diego’s premier private and charter schools, apply for scholarships, and fill out financial aid applications. During the summer, we connect students to a variety of enrichment camps through our partners. We have received local, statewide and national distinction for our results. We have 4 locations: Barrio Logan, Downtown San Diego, Chula Vista, and El Cajon.
1363 Pine Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(760) 450-7181
Contact Name: Jose De Anda
Contact’s Email address: josedeanda1@gmail.com
Office Email address: goodshipliteracy@gmail.com
Website: captainbook.org
Program Description: The good pirates of the Captain Book Literacy Program believe that books are the greatest treasure. This program is based on the Science Direct Study that the number of books in the home is a determinative factor in the child’s success. We therefore, have as our mission, to get books into the hands and homes of children. We concentrate our efforts in North San Diego County by providing books to Title I schools in the Oceanside, Vista and Vallecitos school districts. We also provide books to Camp Pendleton and to 22 Head Starts.
3368 Eureka Place
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(442) 339-2878
Literacy Coordinator: Sandra Riggins
Email: literacy@carlsbadca.gov; sandra.riggins@carlsbadca.gov
Website: library.carlsbadca.gov
Description: Literacy Services at the Carlsbad City Library Learning Center provides free one-to-one tutoring in reading, writing and digital literacy for English-speaking adults who wish to meet their life goals. The program also offers English as a Second Language classes through a partnership with MiraCosta College and an online high school diploma program for adults through Smart Horizons Career Online High School. The program serves those who live or work in Carlsbad and neighboring coastal communities.
Foster Grandparents Program
Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego
Foster Grandparents Program
3888 Paducah Drive
San Diego CA 92117
P: 619 323-2841
Catholic Charities Community Services Director: Stephanie Alvarez
Email: salvarez@ccdsd.org
Foster Grandparent Program Manager: Michelle Romo
Email: msantos@ccdsd.org
P: 760-386-5360
Website: https://ccdsd.org/foster-grandparents/
Description: Catholic Charities’ Foster Grandparent Program serves both San Diego and Imperial Counties. Foster Grandparents can work with youth, as young as infants and as old as 21 years, experiencing a wide range of disabilities or are in circumstances that do not foster a learning environment such as homelessness, low socioeconomic status, justice-involvement, or foster care. Foster Grandparents provide services such as nurturing and skill building, tutoring, and coaching, as well as mentoring and role modeling. Our goals are to increase school readiness, reading proficiency, provide socioemotional support, and more.
389 Orange Ave.
Chula Vista, CA 91911
619-585-5781
Literacy Program Coordinator: Mariam Feliciano-García
Email: mfeliciano@chulavistaca.gov
Website: www.chulavistalibrary.com
Description: The Literacy Program at Chula Vista Public Library offers a welcoming and supportive space for adults who want to strengthen their reading, writing, and communication skills. Whether you’re learning to read for the first time, improving your English, or building confidence for work and everyday life, our program provides personalized instruction to help you reach your goals. Participants work one-on-one or in small groups with trained volunteer tutors who create lessons tailored to individual learning needs and interests. All classes and materials are free, and learners can progress at their own pace in a friendly, judgment-free environment.
3111 Camino del Rio North, Suite 800
San Diego, CA 92108
619-796-2624
Contact: Kassandra Sepulveda, Community & Volunteer Specialist
Volunteer contact number: 619-604-9987
Email: ksepulveda@chworks.org
https://chworks.org/volunteer/
Website: https://chworks.org/resident-program-details/next-generation-success
Description: Study Stars is an onsite after-school program, serving K-5TH grade CHW resident youth. Study Stars focuses on working collaboratively with adult volunteers, resident teen leaders and community partners in providing academic support, community building and enrichment opportunities for young residents. The program enhances literacy skills, sharpens reading and study skills, builds self-esteem, and fosters parent participation in school life. Study Stars uses a nationally-evaluated online literacy program, i-Ready, that provides individualized lessons and reports.
DCS Headquarters
2240 Cleveland Ave
National City, CA 91950
Lead Community Educator: Thao Pham
Voice/Videophone: 619-550-3504
Email: tpham@dcsofsd.org
Main Website: www.deafcommunityservices.org
Description: DCS Adult Literacy Program (LEAD and PVSA services) are unique as they enable Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Deafblind adults to succeed in education or in today’s workplace by providing small group and one-on-one instruction. Students work on developing communication skills, computer knowledge, and preparation for education (college and continuing education program) and/or employment in addition to improving their literacy skills. The program also offers classes in citizenship and DMV preparation.
404 Euclid Avenue #304
San Diego, CA 92114
(619) 919.3337
Executive Director: Allison Ohle
Email: allison@deepsd.org
Website: www.deepsd.org
Description: DEEP shines a light on a proof point of what is possible by illustrating that children in historically disinvested communities are capable of high levels of achievement when provided adequate resources. Partnering with schools located in a cluster of southeastern San Diego neighborhoods referred to as the Diamond Community, DEEP connects the schools to resources through coordination with local programs to build a continuum of educational and community supports for children (and their families), so they enter kindergarten prepared to succeed and read proficiently by third grade.
Oceanside, CA 92057
(760) 681-9950
Founder: Edward Becerra
Email: xprs21@pacbell.net
educationbeginsinthehome@gmail.com
Website: http://www.openabook.org
Description: Education Begins in the Home (EBH) participates in any school or community event that invite him to bring FREE books for their families. EBH has now given over 300,000 FREE books in over 1000 events and has several great partners including Friends of the Oceanside Library, who provide us with a minimum of 10 boxes of books monthly; North Coast Church, who send teams on a monthly basis to help sort & label books; and Decorative Services, who have now printed over 200,000 labels to apply to the books. EBH is 1 of 5 active programs under Empowering Latino Futures (ELF) located in Fallbrook. The 5 include: North County Informador (NCI), a FREE monthly printed magazine which is completely bilingual and lists all of EBH’s events. ELF’s 4 other groups include our MiraCosta Latino Book & Family Festival (LBFF) held yearly; our MiraCosta International Latino Book Awards; (ILBA) also held yearly; and our International Society of Latino Authors (ISLA).
239 South Kalmia Street
Escondido, CA 92025
(760) 839-5440
Principal Librarian, Literacy & Youth Services: Dan Wood
Email: dan.wood@escondidolibrary.org
Website: http://library.escondido.org
Description: Escondido Public Library provides literacy services for Escondido and surrounding areas. Services include small learning communities, one-on-one tutoring for English speaking adults, ESL classes, bilingual computer classes, a computer literacy lab and early literacy for children of adult learners. Escondido also provides family literacy programs and a bookmobile.
1075 Madison Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92021
(619) 401-9750
Contact: Leslie Carter, PLC Lead, ESL Teacher
Email: lcarter@guhsd.net
Website: http://adultschool.guhsd.net/
http://adultschool.guhsd.net/subsites/El-Cajon-Adult-Center/
Description: The El Cajon Adult School provides free English as a Second Language classes to anyone who needs to learn English and is over 18 years old. We offer several ESL classes from 8:30a.m.- 8:15 p.m. We also offer: Adult Basic Skills, U.S. Citizenship, High School Diploma, GED (General Educational Development), and Career Technical Education in various fields, non-medical as well as medical classes.
1286 University Ave., #389
San Diego, CA 92103
619-840-1010
Contact: Jess Baron, Executive Director
Email: jess@guitarsintheclassroom.org
Website: www.guitarsintheclassroom.org/
Guitars & Ukes in the Classroom (GITC) trains, inspires, and equips educators to engage students in learning all subjects through the joy of making music and the power of song. Our inclusive and responsive teaching approach promotes equity, academic achievement, literacy, and social emotional well-being, 21st century skills and caring classroom communities. Our services include free weekly music training and leadership classes for anyone serving in education. No musical experience is necessary to participate. Desire and willingness to learn are the keys to success. We also provide capacity-building, classroom teaching artist residencies, and after-school music clubs for students. GITC can also be invited to present departmental in-service training for music educators, special educators, and general classroom teachers.
5348 University Ave., #205
San Diego, CA 92105
(619) 641-7510
Contact: Vocational English as a Second Language Department Supervisor: Mahsa Imani
Email: mahsa.imani@rescue.org
Website: www.rescue.org
Description: The International Rescue Committee in San Diego provides literacy services for refugee parents and their children. Programs include English language instruction, life skills training and family literacy. Programs are located in City Heights and El Cajon.
Executive Director Colleen Mertes
Email: chezmertes@gmail.com
Phone: (760) 445-0229
Website: www.johncorcoranfoundation.org
Description: The John Corcoran Foundation has passionately been advocating for literacy for over 30 years. We teach children and adults with evidence-based reading instruction. We advocate internationally and teach in the community. From Little Learners (3.5 years old) to adults who have struggled to read for decades, we believe each one will benefit from personalized, science backed instruction. Full and partial scholarships are granted. The Foundation also advocates through our film The Truth About Reading. JCF is currently working on new projects aimed to bring proper instruction to all. Including a follow-up documentary, Healing After The Truth, which will shine a light on the emotional root of reading failure and bring real solutions to those who need them most.
PO Box 880706
San Diego, CA 92168-0706
Liaison: Crystal Culhane
Email: clculhane@gmail.com
Website: www.juvenilecourtbookclub.com
Description: JCBC provides an innovative literacy program for incarcerated teens who are wards of the Juvenile Court residing in Juvenile Hall, and Girls Rehabilitation Facility. Our volunteers discuss monthly book club selections with about 150 teens at 4 sites. We also provide one-on-one tutors to teens in need of remedial reading assistance and GED preparation. Due to Covid, Probation has suspended in-person visits. However, JCBC is continuing to provide books to the facilities, as well as some online activities.
4203 Genesee Avenue #103-317
San Diego CA 92117
Contact: Leslie Gonzalez, President
Email: president@laubachsandiegoesl.org
Website: laubachsandiegoesl.org
Description: The Laubach Literacy Council is an all-volunteer organization providing free English tutoring to adult Second Language Learners in one-on-one and small group environments. We also provide free tutor training for new members. Twenty-two centers are located throughout San Diego County, including numerous County Libraries for which we are the ESL component provider.
SENA – Survival English for Newly Arrived
131 Avocado Ave
El Cajon, CA 92020
858-335-5998
Project Manager: Huma Ahmed-Ghosh
Email: ghosh@sdsu.edu
Website: www.licensetofreedom.org
Description: The mission of License to Freedom is to promote peaceful, loving and safe relationships within the diverse immigrant and refugee communities of San Diego, accomplished through services and strategies that build resilience and self-sufficiency, support healing from trauma and violence, and advocacy for equity and justice. The mission of Survival English for New Arrivals (SENA) is for volunteers to provide in-home basic English instruction to new arrivals, prioritizing women, the focus of our program because they are the least likely to work or school outside the home, and therefore have the greatest need for in-home services. Currently our focus is on curriculum development. We have so far identified a few groups that need assistance: older women who do not leave the house and are keen to learn; high school students who are in ‘age-appropriate grades’ but do not read and write English and speak very little English; young daughters-in-law who are house bound because of their children.
1831 Mission Avenue
Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 795-8701
Representative/Instructor: Eliza Rabinovich
Email: erabinovich@miracosta.edu
Website: https://catalog.miracosta.edu/continuingeducation/
Description: The Continuing Education program at MiraCosta College provides free noncredit courses in four areas for adults in Carlsbad and Oceanside: Adult High School, GED, ESL, Citizenship, Short Term Vocational, and Other Noncredit which includes special education and older adult courses. Also offered are enrollment services, counseling, tutoring, a writing center, Math Learning Center, library services and an open computer lab.
1401 National City Blvd.
National City, CA 91950
(619) 470-5860
Literacy Coordinator: Ana Bahena
Email: abahena@nationalcityca.gov
Website: www.nationalcitylibrary.org
Description: The Literacy Services Department at the National City Public Library empowers adults and families to achieve their learning goals through free tutoring, classes, and community programs. Our dedicated volunteers and interns provide one-on-one or small group classes in reading, writing, math, ESL, citizenship, technology, and more. We also offer family literacy activities that encourage parents and children to learn together. Our online programs also help learners grow anytime, anywhere, offering practice tests and tutorials with Learning Express, reading and writing support with Lexia, language lessons with Mango, and free tutoring through HelpNow.
804 Pier View Way
Unit 101
Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 435-5680
Literacy Coordinator: Chelsea Genack Eggli
Email: CGenack@oceansideca.org , reads@oceansideca.org
Website: www.oceansidepubliclibrary.org
Description: Oceanside READS provides one-on-one tutoring, small group classes and computer-assisted literacy instruction for adults learning to speak, read and write in English in Oceanside and neighboring communities. We also provide preparation for the citizenship test, workforce readiness and technology classes.
1140 W. Mission Road
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760)-744-1150, x2166
Contact: Gary Sosa
Email: gsosa@palomar.edu
Website: https://www.palomar.edu/esl
Description: The ESL Program at Palomar College offers credit and noncredit courses that range from basic English to advanced college-level composition. We also offer separate classes in pronunciation, grammar, conversation, reading, career track, and specially designed computer courses for second language learners. Unique to Palomar College is our INEA program which promotes literacy in Spanish at the Primaria and Secundaria levels.
Corporate Office:
2100 W. Orangewood Avenue, Suite 230 Orange, CA 92868
San Diego Locations:
– Parkway Club: 1237 Graves Ave El Cajon, CA 92021
– Meadowbrook Apartments: 7844 Paradise Valley Rd San Diego, CA 92139
– COMM22: 690 Beardsley St, Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92113
Contact: Zaydielynn Manalansan
Email: zmanalansan@project-access.org
Website: https://www.project-access.org/
Description: Project Access offers free on-site health, education, and employment services to families, children, and seniors living in affordable and workforce housing communities. Each of our locations in San Diego also offers an after-school program for youth in grades K-6 where we provide tutoring services, homework assistance, social emotional learning, and enrichment activities.
4343 Ocean View Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92113
(619) 800-4136
Contact: Ernesto Garcia, Associate Professor
Email: esgarcia@sdccd.edu
Website: www.sdce.edu
Description: San Diego College of Continuing Education provides classroom instruction at beginning and intermediate basic skill levels in reading, writing, math, spelling, and vocabulary. Other literacy programs include GED preparation, high school diploma completion, and English as a Second Language classes at six locations throughout the City of San Diego.
Contact: Cecilia Salgado
Adult Services Manager
858-298-7012
Email: sdcl.programming@sdcounty.ca.gov
Website: www.sdcl.org and www.sdcl.org/adult-learning/
San Diego County Office of Education
6401 Linda Vista Rd. 321-S
San Diego, CA 92111
858-298-2122
Coordinator: Cynthia Craft
Email: Cynthia.craft@sdcoe.net
Website: www.sdcoe.net
Description: The Everyone A Reader Volunteer Program serves elementary students in San Diego County who need additional support in decoding and comprehension reading strategies. Trained tutors reinforce reading strategies as students practice in a one-on-one supportive environment. During the process the students become more proficient readers and build their confidence to become independent learners.
5500 Grossmont Center Drive
Suite 269
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 881-6262
President & CEO: Simona Valanciute
Email: Simona@sandiegooasis.org
Primary Contact: Intergenerational Tutor Program Manager: Michelle Irby
Email: Michelle@SanDiegoOasis.org
Website: www.sandiegooasis.org
Description: San Diego Oasis supports successful aging for older adults offering lifelong learning classes, travel activities, and Intergenerational volunteer opportunities to work as tutors and mentors with low-income elementary school students to improve literacy skills, self-esteem, and attitudes toward learning. 40,000 older adults engage with us, and over 1,000 members volunteer in the community.
330 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 238-6603
Contact: Nicole Settle
Direct Email: nsettle@sandiego.gov
Email: readstaff@sandiego.gov
Website: http://www.readsandiego.org
Description: READ/San Diego provides one-on-one tutoring and computer-assisted literacy services for English-speaking adults 18 years of age and older in the City of San Diego. READ/San Diego also provides family literacy and workforce literacy services.
P.O. Box 153773
San Diego, CA 92195
Contact: Melissa Phillips
Contact phone number: 619-699-2105
Contact email address: melissa@sdrefugeetutoring.com
Website: https://sdrefugeetutoring.com
Program Description: To provide holistic academic support through one-on-one tutoring, enrichment activities, and mentorship to students of refugee background in the community of City Heights in Central San Diego
458 Moss Street
Chula Vista, CA 91911
(619) 934-6300
(619) 691-5680
Resource Teacher (ABE) /WIOA Coordinator: Erica Dibello-Hitta
Email: erica.dibello-hitta@sweetwaterschools.org
(619) 336-9423
Website: http://www.sweetwaterschools.org/adult-schools/
Description: Sweetwater Union High School District, Adult Education provides in-person high school diploma completion, GED preparation, academic reading, writing, and math classes, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, as well as Foundational Literacy classes in 4 adult schools located in National City, Chula Vista, South San Diego, and San Ysidro.
4699 Murphy Canyon Road
San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: 858-492-2000
Director, Collaborative Impact: Nina Ghatan
Email: nina.ghatan@uwsd.org
VP of Collaborative Impact: James McConchie
Email: James.McConchie@uwsd.org
Website: www.uwsd.org
Description:
United Way of San Diego County refuses to let the narrative of struggling readers define our children’s futures. That’s why we launched our United for Literacy initiative, which aims to equip every child with the literacy skills they need to thrive in school and beyond. The goal of United for Literacy is to increase reading outcomes for children from 3-8 years old by increasing access to literacy-rich environments such as classrooms, homes, and community spaces that actively support developing reading and writing skills. We work to enhance academic performance and foster a love of reading through the exposure of language-rich activities, books and other print materials, writing tools, and multi-lingual supports. We invite subject matter experts, government agencies, schools/school districts, institutional funders, and community-based organizations to partner with us.
1660 Hotel Circle No., Ste 450
San Diego CA 92108
Mailing Address:
2801 ‘B’ Street #26
San Diego, CA 92102
Contact: Denise Aragon, Student Services Coordinator
Email: denise@upliftsandiego.org
(619) 748-7211
Contact: Jan Magot
Email: jmagot2016@gmail.com
Website: www.upliftsandiego.org
Description: UPLIFT provides tutoring and mentoring services for low-income children in grades kindergarten through 12th grade who live in inner-city San Diego. UPLIFT San Diego offers virtual and onsite tutoring, after-school enrichment activities, and a summer program that assists children with academic skills.
12634 Via Vigneto
Lakeside, CA 92040
(619) 520-8810
Founder/Executive Director: Tiana Uribe
Email: info@thewildflowerinitiative.com
Website: www.wildflowerinitiative.org
Description: Supporting education and social service programs that reinforce long-term self-sufficiency and empower women and youth through literacy.
770 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101
(858) 274-9673
Director of Learning and Engagement Melinda Casey
Email: melinda@wordsalive.org
Vichittra Chaleune, Associate Director of Learning and Engagement: vichittra@wordsalive.org
Tracy Dalkamp, Associate Director of Development: tracy@wordsalive.org
Website: http://www.wordsalive.org/
Description: Through the Read Aloud, Book Group, and Family Literacy programs, Words Alive serves an average of 6,000 children, youth, and families each year. The nonprofit organization, founded in 1999, focuses on shaping positive reading habits, providing community access to high quality reading materials and experiences, and empowering individuals to help combat illiteracy through volunteerism, partnership, and joyful learning.