"Today more than ever, people need to know how to read in order to get and keep jobs, to understand instructions, and to follow directions." This statement was part of the very first radio announcement in November 1985 announcing the organization of a new group of citizens in Madison County, VA called "Madison Literacy Council." (It was later incorporated in 1990 as "The Literacy Council of Madison County." In the early days of the Literacy Council, 23 volunteer reading tutors worked one on one with 12 learners.
In 1987, the Literacy Council first started providing a GED test preparation class when it partnered with the Carver Piedmont Technical Center's summer course. In 1988, the Literacy Council began offering English as a Second Language (ESL) courses to seasonal workers in Madison and Culpeper.
In 1993, the Literacy Council had its first home through a gift from the County School Board of a modular unit behind what was once Madison Elementary School and is now the County Public School Board offices. In the early 2000s, the Literacy Council began offering technology and computer skills classes.
To this day, the Literacy Council of Madison County continues to provide free on-to-one tutoring in reading and math, GED preparation, technology skills training, and English as a Second Language classes. It is grateful for the financial support and volunteerism from the generous Madison County community.