First Literacy

Program Overview

At First Literacy, we see that by supporting the frontline in adult education—teachers, tutors, program administrators, and advisers—students benefit. Our multi-faceted approach takes the form of three distinct, yet interconnected, initiatives.

• Professional Development Workshops provide adult educators with relevant, practical, and appropriate resources on teaching methodology, curriculum design, cross-cultural issues, and advocacy issues relevant to the adult education classroom.
• First Literacy Lab Initiative offers grants to ABE programs to improve practice and to strengthen programs. The grants' flexibility allows programs to meet emerging student needs as they arise. We have seen recently that our grants enable service delivery sites like libraries and volunteer organizations to introduce or expand services to immigrants in their communities. Recipients of First Literacy Lab grants share their results with the greater ABE community annually and are supported and mentored to become future ABE workshop leaders.
• First Literacy Scholarships are awarded to adult learners who successfully complete an ABE program and are pursuing college or technical education. Scholarships reward educational achievements and potential, commitment to community service, and resiliency and perseverance in the face of hardship. A peer-mentoring component helps students stay connected to each other and to First Literacy.