This guide for locating local resources to support your literacy program is designed to help you identify partners and stakeholders in your community -- ones you may not have thought of as a resource. First, a word about resources. In the context of this guide, resources refers to any organization, initiative, or individual who supports education-focused national service programs by sharing materials and information, collaborating on joint projects, or providing monetary or in-kind contributions, client or constituent referrals, or volunteers.

The guide is organized around the typical needs of program coordinators. You will find topics such as Knowledge of Literacy Peers and Parent Involvement under the If You Need... heading, followed by the types of organizations and individuals who may be able to help meet that need. For each need, you'll read about:

• What Others Have Done to connect with similar resources in their communities.
• Building Reciprocity, which shows how national service programs and members have in turn been valuable, responsive partners to schools, community organizations, and others.
• Research Hints that give suggestions on how to identify and make initial contact with organizations, offices, or individuals who could be important allies for your own program.

The examples in this guide come from two case studies of how education-focused national service programs tap into local literacy resources. These case studies of programs in North Carolina and Wyoming are available in separate publications. We wish to thank those who participated in this research for sharing their stories: program coordinators, members and volunteers, executive directors of the state commissions on national and community service, state directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service, and the many teachers, principals, and nonprofit organizations who are their valued partners.