Our Story

From Vision to Revival

In the mid-1900s, Dr. Frank Laubach sparked a global volunteer literacy movement with the revolutionary Laubach Method. This transformative method laid the foundation for the birth of Turning Pages SC on November 3, 1968.

With a strong vision to build the Greater Columbia Literacy Council, a group of passionate Methodist church ladies embraced the Laubach teachings and set out to make a city-wide impact. They organized meetings, elected officers, and deliberated on strategies to empower learners.

Through the years, Turning Pages SC expanded its reach, impacting both adults and children through programs like Rolling Readers and paving the way for healthy communities by winning the nation’s first health literacy grant. It faced challenges, underwent mergers, and navigated the trials of economic downturns.

One significant milestone was its merger in 2006 with Volunteers of America, becoming “Turning Pages: a Division of the VOA Carolinas.” However, in 2009, as the Great Recession hit, Turning Pages lost its umbrella organization when VOA made the difficult decision to shut down.

Yet, the spirit of literacy endured. Through hard work and perserverance, Turning Pages was reestablished as an independent 501c3 charity in South Carolina. This paved the way for a boon of new events like the Italian Wine & Dine and Annual Golf Tournaments. Adapting to the COVID era, Turning Pages SC pivoted temporarily from face to face tutoring sessions and pioneered the Fundamentals of Accelerated Reading (F.A.R.) initiative at Transitions.

During the summer of 2022, however, Turning Pages faced a devastating loss with the passing of Executive Director Ra’mon Wideman, a passionate advocate for literacy. This tragedy brought the organization to a crossroads, where the decision to dissolve or rebuild loomed. Thanks to a trust fund generously bequeathed by the late board member, Mr. George McIntosh, the board had the opportunity to evaluate its options.

With determination, Lisa Cole, a devoted board member, accepted an appointment as Interim Executive Director and temporary board chair. Under her leadership, Turning Pages SC embarked on a journey of revival. Strategic planning, effective communication channels, and redesigned programs breathed new life into the weakened nonprofit. Within a few months, the board tripled in size, attracting new voices and expertise, while over 75 new volunteers joined the cause.

Today, Turning Pages SC stands strong, guided by the unwavering belief in the power of reading. From vision to revival, our story is one of resilience and transformation.

Discover how you can get involved and create a positive impact.

Moments in Time

TimelineCycle 1
  • 1968: Greater Columbia Literacy Council (GCLC) Founded.
  • 1980s: Dr. Frank Laubach honored on US Stamp.
  • 1994: Ms. Debbie Yoho appointed Executive Director of GCLC.
  • 1995: Awarded David W. Robinson Community Catalyst Award (Central Carolina Community Foundation) for “leadership, creativity, vision and commitment” to addressing community issues. 
  • 1998: “Rolling Readers” established to offer read alouds to groups of children throughout the Midlands area. Early elementary tutoring for grades 1-3 was also offered in elementary schools .
  • 2000: Turning Pages chosen selected for Governor’s Award in the Humanities.
  • 2000: Awarded Health Literacy Grant (Pfizer, Inc), one of only three such grants in the nation.  
  • 2006: Turning Pages merges with Volunteers of America of the Carolinas. 
  • 2009: Volunteers of America dissolves leaving Turning Pages without its umbrella organization.
  • 2010: Executive director Ms. Debbie Yoho retires and Mr. John Myers is hired as successor. 
  • 2012: Mr. Chris Mathews succeeds Mr. John Myers
  • 2013: Turning Pages named ‘Non-Profit of the Month’ by the Columbia Business Monthly.
  • 2014: Tutoring begins at Bridges’ Clubhouse.
  • 2014: Turning Pages advocates begin participating in Literacy 2030 in partnership with the Richland & South Carolina State Library.
  • 2015: Turning Pages receives the “Excellence in Community Service” Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Columbia Chapter.
  • 2018: Turning Pages is the recipient of Grant by the Woman’s Club of Columbia.
  • 2018: Ms. Miriam Calamaro takes the reigns from Mr. Chris Mathews.
  • 2019: Ms. Sandra Bright succeeds Ms. Miriam Calamaro as executive director.
  • 2020: Face-to-face tutoring ceases once pandemic begins.
  • 2021: Board member Mr. Ram’on Wideman is appointed new executive director. 
  • 2021: Fundamentals of Reading (F.A.R. group reading) program piloted at Transitions.
  • 2022: Board member Ms. Lisa Cole shifts into Chair-as-Interim Executive role after the passing of ED Mr. Ram’on Wideman.
  • 2022: Turning Pages sets new strategy and establishes new programs.
  • 2023: New tutors are trained, new learners enroll, and new partnerships formed.
  • 2024: The Board appoints Lisa Cole as permanent Executive Director effective January 1.
  • 2024: Turning Pages expands into Aiken County.