Devawn Oberlender has been named to lead a $28,000 project by the Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley to serve the needs of Blacksburg's functionally illiterate population.

The effort is funded by a Community Development Block Grant awarded by the town of Blacksburg to "focus on closing the gap between the 12 percent of Blacksburg's population who are functionally illiterate and the rest of the community," according to a news release.

Oberlender is a former homebound teacher for the Montgomery County schools.

Donna Webster, the nonprofit's executive director, said the grant "will allow Literacy Volunteers to aggressively find and serve the literacy needs of functionally illiterate Blacksburg adults, and high on our list is providing immediate help, such as completing forms and helping the adult learners understand complex documents. We anticipate that Devawn will move us toward this goal."

To refer adults needing help with reading and writing or for more information, call Oberlender at 357-3314.

-- The Roanoke Times

Employers needed for New River Valley Job Fair

The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Investment Board is looking for employers to participate in the New River Valley Job Fair Expo.

The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at the New River Valley Mall.

A $95 registration fee includes a lunch voucher for two business representatives, a booth and access to an interview room.

The deadline to register is Sept. 26.

For more information, call Marty Holliday at 633-6764 or go to www2.nr.edu/nrvjobfairexpo.

-- The Roanoke Times

Tech offers certification in event planning

Virginia Tech Continuing and Professional Education is planning to offer a certificate program in meeting and event planning this spring.

The course will be taught in the Blacksburg/Roanoke area in four full-day Friday/Saturday blocks.

The program runs April 3 and 4, April 17 and 18, May 1 and 2, and May 22 and 23. Participants who complete the program will be awarded 6.0 Continuing Education Units and a Certificate of Achievement in Meeting and Event Planning.

The fee is $1,895. For details and payment options, visit www.cpe.vt.edu/cpmep.

-- The Roanoke Times