In Remembrance of Ruth J. Colvin

The Literacy Alliance team was saddened to hear of the recent passing of Ruth Colvin who started the national initiative for adult literacy and got to see it grow into a community-based adult education movement. In 1962, Ruth started what became Literacy Volunteers of America and eventually ProLiteracy Worldwide of which the Literacy Alliance of Northeast Florida is a member.

Ruth’s bedrock principles for teaching adults basic skills remain best practices in the adult education field today. Her focus, and that of those who played leadership roles in the adult education movement after her, was to provide contextual learning using topics that were relevant to the learner’s goals.

Whether it was training for a new job, reading a ballot to vote, finally achieving that high-school diploma, or reading to children, Ruth focused on connecting the instruction to what the student wanted to do with these skills. The techniques she promoted are still relevant today and her approach is one the Literacy Alliance continues to embrace. Follow this link to learn more about Ruth’s legacy.

Ruth Colvin with her famous refrigerator bookshelf.

Ruth Colvin receiving the President's Volunteer Action Award from President Ronald Reagan.

Come visit us any time on at the top of the stairs in The Jessie.

Where is the Literacy Alliance?

Everywhere! Literacy Alliance instruction takes place throughout the community to increase access to adult education.

With over 1,000 students enrolled, we are the size of a large school, but you won’t see one location with all the adult learners in one place at one time. We customize locations and schedules to the individual student. You will find us in local neighborhoods with small group classes or with one-on-one tutors at community centers, churches, other nonprofits, or library branches.

But, there is one place you can always find us. Our main office is located in the Jessie Ball duPont Center, known as “The Jessie,” in downtown Jacksonville. The Jessie is a nonprofit hub with many other nonprofits in the building with which the Literacy Alliance partners. And, there are high-tech classrooms with high-speed internet and first class audio visual equipment that allow us to have hybrid in-person and online classes as well as use of many different online learning programs.

Come visit! We welcome showing visitors all that we do. Just come up to the top of the stairs on the 2nd floor at the Jessie, and you can not miss us!

Jessica's Literacy Alliance Continuing Education Journey

Jessica was incarcerated in 2023 leaving the single mom separated from her teenage son and daughter and unable to be with her mom who was her champion no matter what was happening. She learned about the GED classes in the jail taught by the Literacy Alliance and decided this was her best chance at making a change.

Throughout the six months that she was incarcerated, she attended the weekly classes and took practice tests to make sure she was ready for the real tests. Then, slowly, one week at a time, she made it through each of the four tests for each subject area. First Reasoning through Language Arts (RLA), then Math, then Social Studies, and finally Science. After the fourth test, she had her GED certificate, the gold standard for adult diplomas, and she was also a few weeks away from being released.

Her teacher told her, after her release, not only could she attend the upcoming graduation ceremony for graduates in the community, but because of a grant from the Women’s Giving Alliance, the LIteracy Alliance, could also continue to support her as she continued her education.

Once she was released, she attended the graduation ceremony with her son, daughter and mother. The next week, she was meeting with her teacher again, this time “on the outside,” and together they prepped for the college placement tests at FSCJ and applied for financial aid. She is now enrolled at FSCJ with classes starting in September and has a financial aid grant to cover her tuition. Jessica is entering the Human Services program at FSCJ and wants to make a career out of helping others like her with organizations like the Literacy Alliance.

Jessica and her family celebrating her graduation at the annual Literacy Alliance Celebration of Success.

Happy Labor Day!

Adult Education and Literacy: A Perfect Partner With Workforce Development

Labor Day, a celebration of the American worker, has a particular resonance for adult literacy programs focused on workforce development. It's a day to honor those who contribute to the nation's economy and to recognize the importance of education and skills training in ensuring a strong and vibrant workforce.

For adult literacy programs like the Literacy Alliance, Labor Day offers an opportunity to also highlight the ways in which our work directly supports the goals of workforce development. By equipping adults with the essential literacy skills, continuing education, and credentials they need to succeed in the workplace, we are empowering individuals to become productive members of the labor force and contribute to economic growth.

Furthermore, Labor Day can serve as a reminder of the ongoing need for accessible and affordable education and training programs that help adults acquire the skills they need to meet the demands of the modern job market.

The Literacy Alliance is generously supported by individual donors and the following partners.

The Thomas M. and Irene B. Kirbo Charitable Foundation