The Reader Newsletter

March 2024

Alabama Story Special Opening!

Supporters of adult literacy got a sneak peek of Alabama Story at Theatre Jacksonville before it opened to the public. The play’s themes resonated with the literacy minded audience due to its focus on access to books and “knowing the world beyond your world.” Many adult learners enroll in the Literacy Alliance to improve their literacy skills so they can read a newspaper, vote and be involved in their communities. These goals empower adult learners to engage in civic issues such as those in the play.

Special thanks to Theatre Jacksonville and Delegal, Poindexter & Underkofler for sponsoring the event and Board Member, Julie Delegal, for organizing it. If you were unable to attend and would still like to see the play, follow this link to Theatre Jacksonville.

Literacy Alliance staff meet author Devin Coleman at the San Marco Books and More local authors event in support of adult literacy. They also met Jessica Stark, Mark Woods, Michael Wiley and Sohrab Fracis (also pictured).

Local Authors Support Adult Literacy

Several local authors joined San Marco Books and More to show their support for adult literacy and raise funds for the Literacy Alliance through the sale of their books. Thank you to the authors and San Marco Books for hosting the event! The authors participating included:

The Truth About Reading

Literacy Alliance Corrections Education Director, Sherri Jackson, and CEO, Marcus Haile, participated in a panel discussion about literacy along with other education experts as part of a screening of The Truth About Reading, a documentary regarding literacy at all ages.

Sherri and Marcus were able to share the experiences of adult learners in the community and in prison settings. They joined leaders on the panel from Hope Haven, the DePaul School, Grasp Academy, and the Jacksonville Public Library. Hope Haven sponsored the event as part of the Library's Screening Room series. For more information about the documentary visit The Truth About Reading website.

Literacy Alliance CEO, Marcus Haile, and Corrections Education Director, Sherri Jackson (center and center right) participate in the Screening Room panel.

The Definition of Adult Literacy

We get this question sometimes, "how do you define “literacy” in adult education?" The Literacy Alliance uses the definition of literacy from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) which states, “Literacy is the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying contexts."

Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society.

To learn more about the PIAAC study and the results in our community, visit the PIAAC Skills Map.

The Literacy Alliance Team Grows!

Spring is a time of growth and the Literacy Alliance continues to grow in students and members of the team. The organization is now supported by 30 professionals! It is hard to get the whole team together in one spot at one time for a picture because they are often out at our neighborhood and community sites. Here’s just a few of the team that we caught while they had barely enough time to pause. This team is a fun group, and we had to take it quick! To get to know our entire team, visit our new team page!

Join us for our Student Celebration!

Remember to join us for our next Celebration of Success where we will recognize our graduates and high achievers! If you have not already made your RSVP, simply email admin@literacyallnefl.org to let us know you are coming. Dinner for the evening is generously provided by Bono’s BBQ!

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

The Thomas M. and Irene B. Kirbo Charitable Foundation