Literacy Belongs Everywhere

Building communities where everyone has the opportunity to read, learn, and thrive.

Literacy Zones bring neighbors, organizations, schools, businesses, faith communities, and public partners together to build literacy into the places where people already live, work, learn, and gather.

Build Literacy in your Community

Learn about our pilot Literacy Zone in Raleigh →

Community is the strategy.

Literacy Mid-South doesn't arrive with a one-size-fits-all program. Communities already have trusted leaders, organizations, gathering places, relationships, ideas, and expertise. Literacy Zones connect those assets with literacy resources, investment, technical support, and one another.

Our goal: every part of the 901 is a Literacy Zone.

Literacy Anchors

Trusted places where literacy can happen and resources can reach people.

Examples:
Libraries • schools • churches • community centers • clinics • businesses

Literacy Mid-South

The connector and capacity-builder behind them.

Examples:
Resources • expertise • investment • relationships • coordination

What is a literacy zone?

A zone is a recognizable community in Memphis and Shelby County—a neighborhood, town, or other place where people share institutions, relationships, and community life.

Community Literacy Champions

People who use the work they already lead to strengthen literacy.

Examples:
Faith leaders • educators • healthcare leaders • neighborhood leaders • childcare providers • workforce leaders • public officials

Four ways we build literacy together

📖

Literacy Intervention

Providing high-quality literacy support when people need it.

  • Elementary tutoring

  • Out-of-school tutoring

  • Adult foundational education

  • English-language learning

🌎

Literacy Everywhere

Making books, language, and learning part of everyday community life.

  • Books and Summer Lit Bags

  • Book vending machines

  • Pinwheel Playrooms

  • Lit Spots/community print

  • Storybook trails

🛠️

Literacy
Building

Helping community organizations become stronger literacy builders.

  • Educator resources

  • Training and coaching

  • Family literacy workshops

  • Assessment tools

  • Grant support

  • Direct investment

🤝

Literacy Together

Connecting people and organizations so literacy work adds up to something bigger.

  • Early Literacy Consortium

  • OST Literacy Network

  • N-ABLE

  • Read901

  • Cross-sector connections and resource alignment

Literacy can happen anywhere.

  • At the laundromat

  • At the community center

  • At the OST program

  • At the workplace

Let’s Work Together

If you're interested in working with us, complete the form with a few details about your project. We'll review your message and get back to you within 48 hours.