The Literacy Council is a proud Affiliate of the Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC)!
NCBC is committed to providing weekly opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to read, learn and make friends in a relaxed, community setting. The premise is simple. A group of four to eight people with IDD, along with two trained facilitators, gather weekly or bi-weekly for one-hour in a local public library, bookstore, coffee shop, café, or similar public establishment to read aloud and discuss a book. Anyone can participate, whatever their reading or ability level. NCBC members range from those who read proficiently to those who cannot read at all.
Did you know?
25% of those surveyed reported being more comfortable in the community since joining NCBC!
NCBC provides a unique opportunity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience community inclusion, social connectedness, life-long learning, self-determination and self-advocacy. The NCBC meetings are purposeful gatherings of the same people on a regular basis. Members, as a group, determine all aspects of their participation in NCBC meetings (i.e. book selection) and are encouraged to express their opinions, wants, and needs.
NCBC is not a traditional reading class or tutoring program. Although members may (and often do) improve literacy skills, the focus is on reading-to-learn, not learning-to-read. Equally important elements of the program are social interaction and community inclusion. The goal of NCBC is for members to interact more frequently, and in new ways with reading materials, with each other, and with the community around them.
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Patricia Rittenhouse, to become a volunteer facilitator or to enroll a new member!
You can complete your monthly progress report here.