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From Vision to Revival: The Inspiring Journey of Turning Pages SC
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.
Join our extraordinary journey and make a difference in the lives of adult learners. Discover how you can get involved and create a positive impact. Together, let’s shape a brighter future through literacy.