SPECIAL FREE BOOK PROGRAMS!
DOLLY PARTON'S Imagination Library
Provides a free hardcover book each month, mailed to the home of children under
5 years of age. Serves very low-income areas so is not available to everyone.
The PJ Library Program
Phone: 248-205-2534
The PJ Library Program offers the gift of free, high-quality Jewish books each month
to children ages 6 months through 8 years.These books celebrate important aspects
of Jewish culture, values and tradition and become cherished bedtime stories for the
entire family to share.
Razor Reading Program Gives You One Free Child's Book Per Month!
For more information, please call the Youth area of the library at 248-650-7140
The Rochester Public Library has a program you can register for that gives you
one free children's book per month to read to your child from birth to age 2!
You will need to get your child a library card by stopping in at the library with
your ID or a bill with your name and address on it. Once your child has a library
card, stop by the Youth area which is located right behind the fish aquarium and
sign up for the Reading Program. Once you are signed up, the library will give
you one free book per month until your child is 2. It’s best to sign up when they
are as young as possible to be able to get as many books as possible.
Seedlings Braille Books for Children
14151 Farmington Rd.
Livonia, MI 48154
Phone: 734-427-8552 x301
Seedlings Braille Books for Children is a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax-exempt
organization dedicated to increasing the opportunity for literacy by
providing high-quality, low-cost braille books to children who are blind
and visually impaired. Areas Served: International Age(s) Served: 0-21
SPECIAL VETERAN-ONLY PROGRAM
Are you a Veteran that served in the military during a war era and never had the
opportunity to obtain your high school diploma? Don't let this be a barrier any
longer to finding a good job. The State of Michigan has passed legislation that
allows honorably discharged WWII, Korean or Vietnam-era Veterans to proudly
check the box on their next application that indicates, "I have a high school
diploma." Many Vietnam-era veterans are still in the workforce and having a high
school diploma will no longer preclude them from employment opportunities that
require a minimum of a high school diploma.
View the legislation at:
FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING
Operation HOPE
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LOCATIONS:
HOPE Inside, Detroit
Fifth Third Bank (Northwest Activity Center)
18100 Meyers Road
Detroit, MI 48235
Phone: 313-506-9192
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HOPE Inside, Detroit
Level One Bank (Wayne State University)
440 Burroughs Suite 522
Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: 313-686-3113
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HOPE Inside, Detroit
18445 Cathedral Street (Cody High School)
Detroit, MI 48228
Phone: 313-683-0629 Eva Torres
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HOPE Inside, Detroit
Detroit Medical Center (Sinai Grace Hospital)
6071 W. Outer Drive
Detroit, MI 48235
Phone: 313-966-7655
Through HOPE Inside Detroit, Operation HOPE provides complimentary
financial literacy education and empowerment programs designed to foster
financial wellbeing. HOPE Inside is a unique empowerment model that brings
free financial dignity programming to underserved communities.Clients are
counseled on the language of money and work with an Operation HOPE
Financial Wellbeing Coach to transform established financial mindsets
and develop customized action plans around building their own businesses,
raising their credit scores, buying homes, or simply making better decisions
with the money they have.
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Programs include: credit and money management, homeownership
preparedness,and small business entrepreneurship. Every office
holds consumer credit counseling certification, CFPB, FDIC, U.S.
SBA, EITC, HUD, and FEMA applications and partnerships. Through
the HOPE 700 Credit Score Communities initiative, the focus on raising
client credit scores to 700, and thereby bringing financial uplift to
communities is at the foundation of all HOPE Inside programming.
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
Corporate Office:
7310 Woodward Ave. Suite #800
Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: 313-873-6000
Offers a wide variety of Educational Literacy & Financial Literacy classses
with many locations throughout Wayne County. Also Youth, Summer and
After-School programming. See other listing below!
Community Action Agency
400 West South
Adrian, MI 49221
Phone: 517-263-7861 OR 800-438-1845 Julie Laughing McLaughlin@alai.org
Who is Eligible?
CAA provides financial management assistance to anyone interested in Lenawee counties. There are no income eligibility requirements.
Topics for classes include the following:
- Communication –making decisions with a spouse or partner who has different priorities/values.
- Creating a Budget Plan – planning for the household spending based
on the individual/ household priorities.
- Credit Awareness – including how to make arrangements with creditors and establishing credit.
- Predatory Lending – check cashing pros/cons, mortgage scams,
“Buy Here/Pay Here” worth it?
- Goal Setting – developing realistic goals and sticking to them.
- Basic Banking and Investing– provide as needed banking education.
- Energy Education – reduce energy cost with simple changes, including
energy audit (as available)
NOTE:
Some of the literacy programs below MAY also, on occasion, offer FINANCIAL
for other agencies that also usually offer English or ESL classes as well as
G.E.D. classes!
Tutoring & After-School programs are also listed on this website under
DETROIT & METRO DETROIT
Detroit Public Library-Parkman Branch
1766 Oakman Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48238
Phone: 313-481-1814
Detroit Employment Services Corporation
Administrative Offices:
440 E. Congress Street
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: 313-876-0674
Career Awareness and Readiness Equals Success (CARES
A work readiness and career awareness training program with two distinct
mode: A school-based model focused on certain Detroit high schools, including
10th through 12th grade students & a year-round model focusing on youth
14-21 both in- and out-of school.
School-Based Model
The CARES school-based model includes academic instruction integrated
with Career Technical Education and Work Readiness Training.
Expected outcomes include:
- A Work Readiness Credential
Year-Round Model
The Year-Round Model has a wider audience then the school-based model,
focusing on youth aged 14-21 both in- and out-of school.
Program elements include:
- Basic and work readiness skills training
- Paid work experiences & the Detroit Summer Youth Employment Program
- Follow-up and supportive services
Youth should call the DESC Youth Hotline on (313) 664-5624 for further
information about which programs are the best fit for them.
Detroit Employment Solutions has three One-Stop Service Centers located
in Southwest and Northwest Detroit, and on the East side.
- Samaritan Center, 5555 Conner, Detroit, MI 48213
- SER Metro, 9301 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48210
- Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers, Detroit, MI 48235
We also have numerous neighborhood access points located around the city
providing access to basic jobseeker services, so you can be sure that there
is always a facility close to you.
FOCUS: HOPE
1200 Oakman Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48238
Phone: 313-494-5500 Main
Phone: 313-494-4300 Admissions
Our education and workforce development programs prepare individuals
for success when competing for jobs. We offer a holistic approach to
individuals looking to jumpstart their careers. Our programs are scholarship
based and FREE to most students. Eligible candidates must pass a drug
screen and take an admissions test to determine math and reading levels
for entry.
Wayne County Community College District
Eligibility:
Participants must be 18 years of age or older to qualify for enrollment in the Adult
Education Program at WCCCD. The program provides instruction for students
to improve their basic literacy skills in preparation for the completion of their GED.
Day and evening classes. Grants, financial aid, etc. is available.
Tutoring:
Tutorial services are available for participants enrolled in the Adult Education
Program.
Location of classes:
Downriver Campus
21000 Northline Road
Taylor, Michigan 48180
Phone: 734-374-3229
Classes are held Monday -Thursday from 9:30am - 1:30pm & 6:00pm - 10:00pm
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Northwest Campus
8200 West Outer Drive
Detroit, MI 48219
Phone: 313-943-4000
Classes are held Monday -Thursday from 9:30am - 1:30pm & 5:00pm - 9:00pm
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Eastern Campus
5901 Conner
Detroit, MI 48213
Phone: 313-922-3311
Classes are held Monday -Thursday from 9:30am - 1:30pm & 5:00pm - 9:00pm
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Little Rock Urban Institute
8801 Woodward
Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: 313-496-2704 District Contact: Ms. Ilanda Robertson
Classes are held Monday - Thursday from 9:30am to 1:30pm
Reading Works Detroit
645 Griswold
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: 313-962-6202
A collective partnership of community leaders from the business, education,
media, civic and faith communities dedicated to improving adult literacy in
Metro Detroit. The organization is partnering with adult literacy agencies
and other organizations to provide resources to help more people learn
to read.
AND PARTNERS:
ACCESS
2651 Saulino Court
Dearborn, MI 48120
Phone: 313-842-6762
Adult literacy (E.S.L.), children's literacy, interactive parent and child activities,
educational and recreational field trips, citizenship classes, educational and
advocacy services, early childhood services, WIA youth programs, career
development outreach program, students in transition program.
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Dominican Literacy Center
11148 Harper Ave.
Detroit, MI 48213
Phone: 313-267-1000
An east-side Detroit center for tutoring and information to improve literacy.
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Mercy Education Project
1450 Howard Street
Detroit, MI 48216
Phone: 313-963-5881
An educational development program that targets young girls and women.
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Beyond Basics
Thirkell Elementary School
7724 Fourteenth
Detroit, MI 48206
Phone: 248-250-9304
Aims to boost literacy skills of the parents of students who participate
in Beyond Basics, a reading enrichment program primarily aimed at children.
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Wayne State University / ANOTHER CHANCE
Phone: 313-862-1990
Tutoring Location
Lighthouse Center
19940 Livernois
Detroit, MI 48221
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Detroit Literacy Coalition
3726 Fisher Ave.
Detroit, MI 48214
Phone: 313-922-7323
A Detroit-based coalition that offers tutoring and information to improve literacy.
ProLiteracy Detroit
12300 Morang Drive
Detroit, MI 48224
Phone: 313-872-7720
52 Literacy and tutoring sites have been established throughout Metro Detroit.
Free one-to-one and small group tutoring services, after-school literacy programs
for elementary school children, technology-based literacy instruction.
FREE books for adults and children, family literacy projects.
Siena Literacy Center
16888 Trinity
Detroit, MI 48219
Phone: 313-532-8404
Siena Literacy Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to improve
the lives of families in northwest Metropolitan Detroit by providing a basic education program for adult learners. Together with our volunteer tutors, we teach reading,
math, computer skills, and English as a Second Language (ESL).Since 1995, over
600 tutors have helped over 2000 adult learners meet the challenges of their everyday lives. Please browse through our website to see what Siena Literacy Center has
to offer. Siena Literacy Center is a proud to be part of Dominican Rea Literacy Corporation and is an accredited affiliate of Proliteracy.
St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center (SVSF)
16800 Trinity Street
Detroit, MI 48219
Phone: 313-535-9200
The Adult GED® Program at St. Vincent & Sarah Fisher Center is a free, personalized
tutoring program that focuses upon helping Detroit area adults (age 18 or older)
to becoming more self-sufficient and contributing members to the community
and economy, through education. Our process works, because not everyone
learns at the same pace or has the same comprehension capabilities. We help
the students to learn, not just pass the GED®.
Community Social Services of Wayne County
MAIN OFFICE:
9851 Hamilton
Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: 313-883-2100
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Dearborn Office
Garrison Place Office Bldg.
19855 West Outer Drive Suite 207E
Dearborn, MI 48124
Phone: 313-792-9286
Education and Literacy Programs:
Literacy programs serve all learners in an environment where academic success
and life success walk hand-in-hand. Working directly with parents, schools and
the community, CSSWC’s literacy programs seek to assist learners of all ages
achieve academic success and reach their highest potential in life through
knowledge.
Available programs include:
- I Know Right (IKR)- Reading Programs
- IKR Reading Intervention Program
- IKR Reading Comprehension Program
- IKR Reading Biz World – Financial Literacy Program
- KR Families Read Every Evening (FREE)
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
Corporate Office:
7310 Woodward Ave. Suite #800
Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: 313-873-6000
Offers a wide variety of Educational Literacy & Financial Literacy classses
with many locations throughout Wayne County. Also Youth, Summer and
After-School programming.
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HOMELESS YOUTH EDUCATION PROJECT:
Through Wayne Metro’s Homeless Youth Education Project, homeless
children and youth of Wayne County receive support, resources, and
high-quality educational experiences that are designed to equal or
surpass regular school programs. If you enroll your child in the program,
you can be sure that they will not fall behind in their education and
development due to homelessness. Also, you too can take advantage
of some great programs and services that can truly help you and your
family advance and reclaim independence and self-sufficiency.
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For education professionals, the Homeless Youth Education Project provides
specialized training and technical assistance. If you are a teacher, school
administrator, or homeless liaison, the Project offers services on topics
such as:
- Identifying homeless and marginally-housed children
- Developing budget guidelines and appropriate usage of funds
- Coordinating client transportation
- Providing links to other resources to fight homelessness,
- and additional social service agencies
For more information about any of Wayne Metro’s Homeless Prevention Programs, please call the Wayne Metro Connect Call Center at 313-988-9799.
DOWNRIVER & METRO DETROIT
See Wayne County Community College AND Wayne Metropolitan Community
Action Agency above as well!!
Downriver Community Conference and Michigan Works Center
15100 Northline Suite 101
Southgate, MI 48195
Phone: 734-362-7070
The Basic Skills and Assessment Department of the Downriver Community
Conference provides individualized, self-paced (but guided) instruction
to help you obtain your basic skills/academic goals quickly and effectively.
- National Career Readiness Certificate
- Para-pro Certification Test Preparation
You can study any of these areas in an "open lab" setting, at your own pace,
with assistance as needed provided by a certified teacher or Career Development Facilitator.
Lab hours: Currently Tuesday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
We recommend calling first, as hours can vary depending on customer volume.
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The ACT WorkKeys assessment, as required for Para-professionals under the
No Child Left Behind Act, or to earn a National Career Readiness Certificate,
is available for a fee. Key Train, a self-paced, computerized preparation program
for WorkKeys is also available for a small fee. Our rates are very reasonable.
Call for more information.
Basic Skills and Assessment Unit
734-362-3455
Located in the Michigan Works! Southgate Service Center, operated
by the Downriver Community Conference.
Asher School / G.E.D. Testing Center
14101 Leroy
Southgate, MI 48195
Phone: 734-246-4633
Website:
In Southgate’s GED Prep classes, prepare for the test by reviewing math,
social studies, science, reading, and writing the essay, including grammar
and sentence structure. When you successfully complete your GED Prep
class at SACE, you will take the GED Tests at a reduced rate for the complete
battery. If you are especially weak in reading, writing, and/or math, you may
not be ready to take the GED Prep class. Southgate’s Pre-GED class will
help you strengthen your skills.
Eligibility for GED Testing
1. Test-takers must be 18 years of age and and not currently enrolled
in a regular high school or at least 16/17 with proper documentation.
2. Test-takers must have driver’s license, passport, military papers or
other form of official government (national or foreign) ID that shows
name, birthdate, signature, and photograph.
3. No certificates will be issued until test-taker is 18 and high school
class has graduated, unless the individual has graduated from the
Michigan Youth Challenge Program and is 16 years of age.
Romulus Adult Education / Van Buren Adult Education
39000 Superior
Romulus, MI 48174
Phone: 734-532-1950
Phone: 734-532-1403
Our program is completely FREE of cost! Both High School diploma
& GED test offered at NO COST.
Classes offered YEAR ROUND at 2 locations!
Romulus High School
9650 Wayne Rd
Room 215 and 216
Romulus, MI 48174
Evening classes - Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3pm to 9pm
Lead Teacher:
Renae Gowen
Phone: 734-497-0682
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WCCC Western Campus
9555 Haggerty Rd Room B201 and B210
Belleville, MI 48111
Day classes - Mondays thru Thursdays from 9am to 3pm
Lead Teacher:
Christina Newsome
Phone: 734-497-4091
Cities Served: Romulus, Van Buren, Sumpter, Belleville, and Taylor
Plymouth-Canton Community Literacy Council
Starkweather Academy
39750 Joy Road
Plymouth, MI 48170
Phone: 734-589-0011
We are a volunteer, non-profit organization aiming to improve adult literacy
in Plymouth-Canton and surrounding areas of Western Wayne County. Our
mission is to provide adults with basic reading, writing and communication
skills, so they may participate in their community and reach their fullest
potential in life.
LENAWEE COUNTY
Lenawee Intermediate School District
1372 N. Main Street
Adrian, MI 49221
Phone: 517-263-2108
Variety of programs including career training!
MACOMB COUNTY
Macomb Literacy
16480 Hall Road Suite 178
Clinton Twp., MI 48038
Macomb Literacy Partners is located in Wayne State University’s Macomb
Education Center, located at the SW corner of Hall Road and Garfield.
Phone: 586-286-2750
Macomb Literacy Partners is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization helping adults
who have problems reading, writing, and/or speaking English. MLP provides
training for volunteer tutors who work with students one-on-one or in small
groups. Volunteer tutors meet with their literacy student(s) in quiet, private
areas of public sites, such as libraries, churches, and community centers.
We also work directly with school districts, colleges, and other academic
institutions by providing tutoring services.
Adult Reading Assistance:
We provide adult reading assistance by providing free tutoring services to adults
(18 years and older) in Macomb County who have difficulty reading. Some students speak English and others are English as a Second Language learners. All students
meet with tutors once a week for at least two hours. Tutors are volunteers who
are trained through Macomb Literacy Partners. Students may call our office to
find out if they qualify for our services.
Family Literacy:
We provide family literacy services by partnering with the Macomb Intermediate
School District and Rosco the Clown, who provides a magic, entertainment,
and reading show for children and their parents.These programs are free
and children are given a book to take home. We ask that children attending
these programs are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Conversation Groups:
Finally, we offer conversation groups for English as a Second Language learners.
These groups enable students to work on their newly developing language skills.
See our conversation group schedule for more details.
Utica Community Schools & Adult Education
Community Education Center
38901 Dodge Park Road
Sterling Heights, MI 48312
Phone: 586-797-6906 Adult Ed
Phone: 586-797-6960 English as a Second Language (ESL)
Earn a Utica Community Schools high school diploma or prepare for the GED
through the Adult Education Program. Gain valuable workplace and life skills
with beginner to advanced classes in the English as a Second Language Program.
FREE morning, afternoon and evening classes.
MONROE COUNTY
fMonroe County Intermediate School District
Project READ
Administration Building
1101 S. Raisinville Road
Monroe, MI 48161
Phone: 734-242-5799 Literacy Dept: 734-322-2721
The MCISD collaborates with staff members, service organizations and community representatives to connect adult learners with literacy services via confidential
trained community tutors. Project READ expands and enhances the abilities of
adults to read and understand in their personal and professional lives.This program
is administered by the MCISD with financial support provided by community donors
and area businesses, most notably DTE Energy. All calls are confidential.Tutoring sessions are held at public locations such as a library or quiet restaurant.
OAKLAND COUNTY:
Oakland Literacy Council
2550 S Telegraph Road Suite 103
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Phone: 248-253-1617
Locally the Council:
- Recruits and trains volunteers who meet weekly with adult students to teach reading, writing, and conversational English.
- Provides various tutoring workshops to give tutors tools for effective tutoring
- Has available a library with tutoring materials for various reading levels and interests
- Provides resources i.e., tutor mentors, tutor trainers, specialists to answer questions and guide tutors
BEYOND BASICS
Mailing Address:
PO Box 1504
Birmingham, MI 48012
Physical Address:
18000 W. Nine Mile Rd.
Southfield, MI 48075
Phone: 248-250-9304
READ TO RISE TUTORING:
•One-on-One Reading Tutoring (K-12)
•Reading Readiness (lower elementary) / SOAR (9-12)
•Reading Buddies / Leader Readers
•Free Book Program
LITERACY-ENRICHMENT:
•Publishing Center
•International Art and Writing
•Expanding Horizons
•Mentoring Matters Partners
•Caring for Kids Donation Program
Has a wide variety of schools that participates in this program!
Grace Centers Of Hope
35 E. Huron
Pontiac, MI 48342
Phone: 855-HELP-GCH
Education Opportunities
Every resident in the Life Skills Program takes the TABE (Test of Adult
Basic Education) test in order for the staff to create an individualized
plan based on the resident's needs.
The Career and Education Center
Provide many opportunities for residents in the one-year life skills program
and for those in aftercare.
The Career and Education Center
Provide GED classes for all residents who do not have a GED credential.
This program includes individual online preparation, one-on-one tutoring,
homework assistance, and pre-tests.
The Career and Education Center also offer classes for residents including:
•Business Communication
•Computers 101
•Work Readiness
•Reasoning Skills
•The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®
For Aftercare residents who choose to go to college, the Career and Education
Center provides assistance with registration, homework, and a place to study.
Career Development
After residents have been in the life skills program for nine months, they begin
to search for jobs.The Career and Education Center provide assistance in
obtaining a job for life skills program residents and aftercare residents including:
•Career search workshops
•One-on-one resume writing assistance
•Job search assistance and coaching
•Access to internet searching
•Interview practice and coaching
Grace Centers of Hope is an authorized GED Testing Service®
WASHTENAW COUNTY
Washtenaw Literacy
5577 Whittaker Road
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Phone: 734-879-1320
Washtenaw Literacy can help you with reading and writing. Our programs
will help you meet your goals. You will meet for two hours each week with
a volunteer tutor. Tutoring is free.
Do you qualify for tutoring?
- I live, work, or volunteer in Washtenaw County
- I need help with reading, writing, and/or math
- I can commit to weekly tutoring for 6 months
If you checked all the boxes, you are eligible for a tutor.
WCC Adult Education Plus Transitions G.E.D. Plus!
4800 E. Huron River Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105-4800
Phone: 734-677-5006
Basic services include:
- Academic Skills Improvement
- Counseling and Support Services
- College and Job Skills Development
AMERICA READS TUTORING CORPS
University of Michigan Outreach
Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning
1024 Hill Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3310
Phone: 734-647-7801
The Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning, the Office
of Financial Aid and the School of Education formed the University of Michigan
America Reads Tutoring Corps. America Reads employs approximately 100
University students to serve as literacy tutors to children in grades K-5 each
year in Detroit and Ypsilanti schools. Every child receives individualized attention,
along with packs of free, brand new books to build a home library.
The Neutral Zone
310 E. Washington
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: 734-214-9995 Contact: Kelsey Cavanagh Strong
Time: Monday through Thursday, 3 – 6 p.m.tutoring
Our dedicated quiet space, accompanied by tutors and snacks, provides
the ideal study environment. Drop-in or call in advance to request a tutor
who has knowledge in the subject area of your need. FREE.
This program is sponsored by: The Princeton Review
