Adult Learning Alliance

05/14/2026

We had a wonderful time gathering with our Arkansas Reads AmeriCorps Members for training. We are so proud of this team!

We learned about some awesome projects (Fraud Bingo and Digital Literacy) that the members created and are sharing in their literacy councils. Our Engage AR Program Director, Zoe Tollette, joined us to talk about Education Awards. After lunch, everyone participated in a service project assembling treat bags for the summer program at Pfeifer Camp.

During lunch, Belinda presented Margaret Davenport, of the River Valley Adult Learning Alliance, with the 2026 AmeriCorps Member of the Year Award. Margaret is a first-year member who steps in to help as needed, including recruiting and training new volunteers and assisting with service projects. Margaret is the creator of the council's successful driver's license class, which is now hosted in five counties. Her Dardanelle class continues to boast a 100% pass rate! Margaret is an excellent tutor, but what makes her really special is the way she checks in on her students. She wants to see people succeed and both challenges and encourages them along the way. Congratulations, Margaret!

River Valley Adult Learning Alliance Twin Lakes Literacy Council Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Literacy Council of Western Arkansas Literacy Council of Bowie & Miller Counties, Inc. Literacy Council of the Ouachitas

05/09/2026

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) awarded more than $200,000 in literacy grants to Arkansas nonprofit organizations, libraries, and schools. Of the $200,000, literacy councils received $105,892. Congratulations to all the grant recipients!

The awards are part of a record-setting, single-day total of nearly $16 million in grants nationwide, supporting adult, family, and summer literacy programs in the 48 states where Dollar General operates. The milestone surpasses the foundation’s previous record of more than $13.2 million granted in May 2025.

“Since the foundation’s inception in 1993, our focus has remained on making meaningful investments in students, teachers and the organizations that support literacy and learning at every stage of life,” said Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “We are grateful for the impact teachers and educators make every day and are excited to have another record-setting year of helping expand literacy access for learners of all ages. These funds will help educators enhance their instruction and create opportunities that empower students to reach their full potential.”

The grants support schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center. Funding may be used to purchase new technology, books, materials, or software to enhance literacy programs.

Crawford County Volunteers for Literacy
Dogwood Literacy
The Literacy Council of Grant County, Sheridan, AR
Literacy Action of Central Arkansas
Literacy Council of Mississippi County
Literacy Council of the Ouachitas
Ozark Foothills Literacy Project
Ozark Literacy Council
River Valley Adult Learning Alliance
Twin Lakes Literacy Council

04/29/2026

Join us for the June 4th installment of the Leadership Training Series in partnership with Literacy Texas and the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition. Our topic will be Effective Student Recruitment and Orientation.

Register at: literacytexas.org/calendar/leaders-jun-2026

04/21/2026

Congratulations to ALA friend and rockstar presenter, Jackie Aguilera, on her well-deserved recognition as Outstanding Administrator of the Year from COABE!

04/21/2026

It's Volunteer Appreciation Week!

Our volunteers are at the core of everything our literacy councils do. In 2025, our council volunteers contributed over 31,443 hours of service!

Many thanks to them for their countless hours of dedication to adult literacy in Arkansas!


Twin Lakes Literacy Council Literacy Council of Benton County Dogwood Literacy Crawford County Volunteers for Literacy River Valley Adult Learning Alliance Literacy Council of the Ouachitas The Literacy Council of Grant County, Sheridan, AR Ozark Foothills Literacy Project Literacy Council of Bowie & Miller Counties, Inc. Literacy Action of Central Arkansas Literacy Council of Western Arkansas Literacy Council of Union County Ozark Literacy Council Literacy Council of White County, AR

03/25/2026

Since 1994, this is what AmeriCorps members have contributed to our nation. Thank you for your service!

03/25/2026

We have lost a pioneer in the field of adult literacy. You will be missed, Peter.

ProLiteracy and the adult literacy field mourn the loss of Dr. Peter Waite, a leader and friend. His dedication to advancing the mission of ensuring all adults have the opportunity to grow through literacy was unmatched. Since coming to Laubach Literacy in 1982 and then becoming Executive Vice President of ProLiteracy, for many he was the face and voice of the organization. For almost 40 years, Peter was everywhere for the cause—advising U.S. presidents and members of congress advocating for adult literacy; spreading his voice internationally promoting education as a human right; or happily showing up at state conferences or local literacy celebrations. During his time at ProLiteracy, not only did he make sure ProLiteracy had a place in the national conversation on adult literacy, he also worked tirelessly to bring others together and broaden the conversation. He was instrumental in the merger of Laubach Literacy and Literacy Volunteers of America and was a founding member of the National Coalition for Literacy. He advocated for student voices to be part of the movement, from organizing Biennial Student Congresses and hill visits to starting VALUE USA, a student committee that was part of the Laubach board which later became an independent organization of adult learners. He also brought desperately needed supporters into the conversation like Dollar General, Verizon, Coors Brewing Company, Southwest Airlines, and others. Even after his retirement from ProLiteracy in 2020, he never fully stepped away, staying involved as a consultant and serving as the North American Vice President of ICAE (International Council on Adult Education). Not to mention maintaining the many relationships he developed over the years.

We are thankful to have known and worked with Peter, and our condolences go out to his family who we know he loved so much.

03/13/2026

It was a gorgeous day to celebrate our AmeriCorps members at the member retreat at Pfeifer Kiwanis Camp in West Little Rock. A big thank you to the Camp for hosting the retreat and Engage AR for putting on a wonderful event for the members!

Congratulations to member Hope Hawkins with Literacy Action of Central Arkansas on receiving the Heart of Service Award and member Margaret Davenport with River Valley Adult Learning Alliance on receiving the Innovation in Service Award!

Other members in attendance were Michael and Dexta with River Valley Adult Learning Alliance; Holly with the Literacy Council of Western Arkansas; and Nicollete and Jamie with Twin Lakes Literacy Council

In addition to the awards, the members participated in a "Stop the Bleed" workshop. After lunch, they served the camp by volunteering in the garden, cleaning up the grounds around the office, and painting picnic tables in preparation for summer camp.

Thank you to all of our members for the service they provide to their literacy councils and their communities. We appreciate you!

03/10/2026

We love our AmeriCorps members! Thank you each for "getting things done" in your community.

It's officially AmeriCorps Week! This week, we celebrate the millions of members who have pledged to "Get Things Done" for local communities and the impact of national service across the country.

In Arkansas, the legacy of service began long before AmeriCorps was officially incorporated. Arkansas was the first state to officially have a dedicated state-level department focused on organizing volunteer and community service opportunities, established in 1974.

Join us this week in honoring members and programs making an impact!

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/americorps-arkansas-legacy-service-rooted-leadership-community-hndqc

03/05/2026

A mother's literacy is the single strongest predictor of whether her children will learn to read. So when two-thirds of illiterate adults are women, it doesn't just affect them. It shapes the next generation.

Support adult literacy and change lives, now and into the future.