A 27-year-old Burmese man, who works in the Dining Department at Galloway Ridge at Fearrington, wants to get a degree in social work from the University of North Carolina so he can move back to Burma and help the less fortunate.

First, he has to learn English, enroll in a High School Equivalency program, get his associate degree at a local community college and apply and get accepted into UNC.

That is where Gloria Wilkins, a resident at Galloway Ridge at Fearrington, whose undergraduate degree is in English and Communication comes in. She returned to Duke University in her 70s to become certified as an English as a Second Language teacher. Wilkins, a tutor for Chatham Literacy, has been working with the Burmese student for the last six months and said he should be ready to enroll in a High School Equivalency program in another month or so.

"With students like that, teachers are motivated," Wilkins said.

Chatham Literacy provides tutoring services to adults who live or work in Chatham County in a variety of fields, including English, computer literacy, High School Equivalency education, and citizenship training for those who wish to obtain permanent U.S. citizenship. Chatham Literacy recognizes the importance of being able to utilize modern technology, which is why students who achieve one of their long-term goals and computer literacy training are awarded a laptop for their own personal use.

In the fiscal year 2012-13 Chatham Literacy awarded 79 laptops to individuals who achieved long-term goals. The council also helped 25 individuals become U.S. citizens, and helped 22 individuals vote for the first time.

The story of the Burmese man is a big part of why donors to the Charitable Fund of the Galloway Ridge at Fearrington gave $2,500 to Chatham Literacy in 2013. The Charitable Fund is comprised of donations, from residents and other donors, which are dispersed to various charities around Chatham County. In 2013, the fund donated a total of $60,000 to 16 various nonprofit programs.

However, its support for the Chatham Literacy goes further than just money; Galloway Ridge at Fearrington also lets tutors work with students in one of the onsite apartments. In exchange, a number of Galloway Ridge employees receive tutoring services from Chatham Literacy.

"Galloway Ridge benefits because employees who are literate are better employees," Wilkins said.

Vicki Newell, the executive director for Chatham Literacy, said Chatham County is growing exponentially, and she sees Chatham Literacy having an important role in adjusting to that growth.

"I really think that we are going to be instrumental in helping to strengthen Chatham County’s economy. We're going to be able to employ more people locally and attract more businesses, because we'll have an educated workforce," Newell said. "We're helping to invest in the future of Chatham County."

According to the 2012 Census, 14.5 percent of Chatham County residents above the age of 25 did not have a high school diploma, a sharp decline from the 22 percent reported in 2007. Newell believes the Chatham County Literacy Council had an impact on that number.

"Can we take all the credit? No. Do I think that we are a part of the reason for this improvement? Absolutely,” said Newell.

Lee Laidlaw, also a resident of Galloway Ridge at Fearrington, is one of two nationally-certified tutor trainers at Chatham Literacy. She is also a resident at Galloway Ridge, has an undergraduate degree in Kindergarten Education, a master's degree in Reading Education and a masters degree in Social Work Administration. She just turned 85 in January. She received her certification four years ago and has already trained more than 150 tutors.

Both Laidlaw and Wilkins said what sets Chatham Literacy apart is not just what the students learn, but why they learn. Many of the Chatham Literacy students simply want to learn to read the newspaper, talk to their children in English, communicate with their doctors, or get a better job.

“The adults that come to us are usually motivated by a present need. We want to help them meet that need. Thus, we let them determine the curriculum, so that we teach them the skills they want to learn. After all, they are adults. We try to treat them as such,” said Laidlaw.

Rodney Birth, director of environmental services at Galloway Ridge, said having Chatham Literacy on site is a huge benefit to his department, because it allows and encourages employees to pursue an education.

"Utilizing this program does not only encourage personal growth, it empowers Galloway Ridge Environmental Services employees to be an asset to their community and the Galloway Family," Birth said.