Although many people think of literacy as an individual skill, our program places literacy as a social practice in our community. Rarely do any of us develop our language and literacy abilities in isolation — we learn within our community. Community is different for different people. Community can mean school, family, religious institution, work, or civic participation.

Wherever we find community we find literacy practices. Although some literacies are valued more than others— for example the type of reading and writing done in school is often valued more than what some of us do at home—our program respects the multiple literacies that adults and children bring to our program. The adults in our program have varied educational experiences. Some learners received education in the United States; other students received their education in other countries including China, India, Korea, Mexico, and Taiwan. Most of the students in our program are bilingual; some of our students are monolingual English speakers. What all students have in common is an interest in using language and literacy more comfortably in their community.

Our philosophy is grounded in participatory educational approaches. We believe that knowledge is not a commodity housed in a book. We create knowledge through dialogue with others, through our relationship with the text in the books, through our writing and responses from others around us.

Our program offers free classes at the branches of the Alameda County Library: Fremont, Irvington, Union City, San Lorenzo, Dublin, Castro Valley, Albany, and Newark. Classes are available both day and evening during the weekdays. Information and orientation meetings to enroll in classes are held monthly. Call (510) 745-1480 or email Rachel for general information. If you are a student interested in our program, please call (510) 745-1493 or email Darlene.

“First we wanted to improve our skills but now we understand we need more than basic skills. We want not only to survive, but we want to thrive and be connected to our society. Literacy is the act of knowing the world. Literacy gives us more choices for change and more power.” ~Adult Literacy Students

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For a student version of our brochure, see the Site Map.