Carolina Literacy
Q&A with Kelly Swimm, Founder and Executive Director
Carolina Literacy | Free English Classes & Volunteer Opportunities in Carrboro, 307 West Weaver Street
Carolina Literacy is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free English language instruction virtually and in-person for all learning levels to "inspire confidence, create opportunity and strengthen community."
Why did you start Carolina Literacy? I volunteered as an English teacher at Orange Literacy for two years and saw firsthand the positive impact free English classes had on people’s lives. When it closed last summer, I couldn’t stop thinking about the adults who were in the middle of learning and suddenly had nowhere to go. It didn’t feel right for that opportunity to disappear. In Chapel Hill and Carrboro, many adults face real barriers because of limited English, from finding stable employment to supporting their children in school or accessing basic services. We believe everyone in our community deserves an equal opportunity to thrive, and English proficiency is a vital part of that. We wanted to create a welcoming place where adults feel confident pursuing their goals, whether that’s continuing their education, advancing in their careers, or becoming U.S. citizens.
What do you hope to accomplish in the next year? In the next year, we hope to expand our class offerings and support every adult who seeks our services. We’re currently averaging about 10 new student sign-ups per week and have 38 people on our growing waitlist. We’re actively building our capacity through volunteers and financial support so we can meet this increasing demand.
Besides volunteering and donations, is there any way the general public can help support Carolina Literacy's mission? Our community is welcoming and supportive of all people. Especially during these times, it can feel overwhelming and isolating to have limited English. Patience and kindness make a real difference when someone is communicating in a second language. A single interaction can go a long way in helping someone feel seen, respected and confident.
When adults gain language skills, it strengthens families, workplaces, and our entire community. We’re grateful to be doing this work here.
Interested in volunteering? How to Help —Carolina Literacy
Other ways to help:
Amazon Wish List for classroom supplies
