Why We Exist

Patrick Beaver Learning Resource Center empowers striving readers, educates their parents, and equips their teachers. Striving readers include those not only affected by dyslexia or ADHD but also challenged by poverty or language barriers.

What We Believe

Every child deserves to read with confidence.
Reading proficiently enables children to succeed in whatever path they choose, whether college or career.
The science of reading should undergird all instruction in reading.
Highly trained teachers are the most powerful way of insuring every child can read.
Children’s access to effective tutoring should not be limited by their parent’s ability to pay for tutoring.

"To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark." — Victor Hugo

What We Do

Augustine Literacy Project

The Augustine Literacy Project trains, coaches, and supports volunteers who provide free, one-on-one literacy tutoring to struggling readers from low-income families. Augustine Literacy Project tutors work with children during the school day at public schools in Catawba County. A background in education is not necessary to become an Augustine Literacy Project tutor. Find out more at an Augustine Literacy Project Informational Coffee. We hold informational coffees on the second Wednesday and third Tuesday of every month at 10 am at our office at 1925 Tate Boulevard SE.

Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator Training

Patrick Beaver Learning Resource Center sponsors Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator Training each summer for eighteen K-3 teachers from the three public school systems in Catawba County. This weeklong training helps teachers to use the Orton-Gillingham approach in small groups in their classrooms. Throughout the following school year, our Orton-Gillingham trainers coach and support teachers. Teachers interested in participating can contact their principal or our office for the link to apply for the training.

Reading Success Tutoring Center

The Reading Success Tutoring Center serves striving readers ages 5-14 who live in Catawba County, read below grade level, and have difficulty sounding out words or reading smoothly. One-on-one tutoring will include practice with phonics, fluency, and comprehension tailored to your child. We want tutoring to be affordable for all families! Tutoring fees will range $5-$40/session using a sliding scale based on family income. Find out more about the Reading Success Tutoring Center here.

Parent Support

Parenting is tough. Parenting a child with dyslexia and other learning differences adds its own set of challenges. Patrick Beaver Learning Resource Center wants to encourage parents and help them understand how they can best help their child read successfully. Check our social media for tips to encourage striving readers and see events designed for parents.

How to Help

Give today!

Donate today to help a striving reader succeed! Give online with a credit or debit card or mail a check to:
Patrick Beaver Learning Resource Center
PO Box 255
Hickory, NC 28603

Patrick Beaver Learning Resource Center can accept donations of stock. Please contact our staff at (828-624-2012) for more information.

Donate to our endowment to ensure the resilience and financial sustainability of the Patrick Beaver Learning Resource Center into the future. To make a tax-deductible gift online to the endowment, visit the our endowment page with the North Carolina Community Foundation.

Volunteer!

Tutor one child. Change two lives. Become an Augustine Literacy Project tutor. We provide the training and support you need to help a child learn to read. A background in education is not necessary to become an Augustine Literacy Project tutor. We hold Augustine Literacy Project Tutor weeklong trainings three times a year. Find out more at an Augustine Literacy Project Informational Coffee. We hold informational coffees on the second Wednesday and third Tuesday of every month at 10 am at our office at 1925 Tate Boulevard SE.

Who We Are

Board

The board is made up of individuals with a variety of career backgrounds, but they are united in their passion to help striving readers succeed.

Coy Hudson

Retired, Catawba Valley Community College

Chair

Kim Frankel

Retired Radiology Technician & current ALP tutor

Vice Chair

Jeff Hodakowski

Director of Accountability & Testing, Hickory City Schools

Treasurer

Laura Meisner

Retired Speech Therapist & current ALP tutor

Secretary

Jenny Summers

Retired Pharmacist & current ALP tutor

Past Chair

JoAnn Spees

Retired Nonprofit Director & current ALP tutor

Honorary Board Member

Randy Fisher

Retired Veterinarian & current ALP tutor

Thomas Griffis

Retired Pastor & past ALP tutor

Janet Hambrick

Retired Teacher

Michele Hewitt

Counselor, Crossroads Counseling Center

Kathryn Hodges

Current ALP tutor

Kecia Hopper

Media Coordinator, Jenkins Elementary School

Shannon Plemmons

Principal, Maiden Elementary School

Carol Sparks

Retired Engineer & current ALP tutor

Aretha Taylor

Current ALP tutor

Laura Woodruff

Retired teacher

Staff

Angela Lawrence

Mrs. Lawrence has served as Executive Director since September 2014 and has completed Duke University's Certificate in Nonprofit Management. Before joining the Patrick Beaver Learning Resource Center staff, Ms. Lawrence taught in Catawba County Schools and worked in marketing at Lowe's Home Centers corporate office. Mrs. Lawrence is passionate about improving literacy in Catawba County and narrowing the achievement gap for all students, whether that gap is caused by a learning difference, poverty, or language barrier.

Lora Pulliam

Mrs. Pulliam has served as the Augustine Literacy Project Coordinator since March 2016. A retired educator with over 30 years experience in the public schools, Mrs. Pulliam holds certificates in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Academically Gifted Education, Mentally Handicapped Education, Learning Disabled Education, and Adult Basic Education. Mrs. Pulliam serves as an Augustine Literacy Project tutor herself, and she loves to help children learn to read.

Caitlan Killian

Mrs. Killian is our new Marketing and Community Outreach Coordinator. Mrs. Killian has over 10 years of classroom and tutoring experience in Catawba County. She is a licensed K-6 teacher with a Masters Degree in Teaching from Clemson University. She enjoys a beautiful life of creativity and service, helping others find hope, confidence, and growth through learning and connection. Mrs. Killian is excited to combine her passions of literacy and digital media to serve PBLRC's community!

Volunteers

More than thirty Augustine Literacy Project Volunteers help us empower striving readers. Each week they give of their time and energy to help children. These dedicated volunteers won the Catawba County United Way Giving from the Heart Award in 2018 and the Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service in 2019. For more information about how to get involved with this outstanding group, attend an Augustine Literacy Project Informational Coffee. We hold informational coffees on the second Wednesday and third Tuesday of every month at 10 am at our office at 1925 Tate Boulevard SE.