A Message from Molly and Brian James

Inaugural Chairs of the Open Book Society

 

A resilient community is one where adults without the foundational education of a high school diploma or with limited literacy skills have every opportunity possible to build their skills and continue an educational path that results in their economic stability and self-sufficiency.

Molly and Brian James

Honorary Chairs of the Open Book Society

Right here in Northeast Florida, approximately 10% of adults over age 24 and many young adults aged 18-24 do not have their high-school diploma. One in five adults locally have reading skills below a third-grade level. 


The Literacy Alliance of Northeast Florida works every day to change these statistics, and you can be a part of it!


Through our own volunteering and personal giving, we have seen firsthand the successes of adult learners enrolled with the Literacy Alliance of Northeast Florida. The Literacy Alliance not only helps with basic literacy skill development, diploma attainment, and job certifications. They also meet adult learners where they are, by offering an approach customized for learners' goals and needs, taking into account lives filled with family demands, work schedules, transportation challenges, and more.


The impact of the Literacy Alliance on our local community is significant!

Hear what Jessica had to say about the impact on her and her family.

Stories like Jessica's are why we are serving as Honorary Chairs for the launch of the Open Book Society and invite you to join us as its first members!   


The Open Book Society was formed to support the Literacy Alliance financially and increase awareness about the importance of adult foundational education.


In 2026, Society Members will have the opportunity to participate in an exclusive speaker series where civic leaders from our community will share their personal or professional experiences and how those experiences are impacted by adult literacy and education. The 2026 series includes Dr. Dana Kriznar, Dr. Diana Greene, MaliVai Washington, Daniel Davis, and Glenn Ullmann.


Our membership campaign is taking place now through December 31. Today, we ask you to visit openbooksociety.org, learn more about the Society, and join by making a single donation of at least $500. The first eight people to join will unlock an additional donation of $125 from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund for each Member that joins.

We hope you will join the Open Book Society to support adult education right here in our community. This is a wonderful opportunity to make a very real impact and change lives! 


Sincerely,

Molly and Brian James