MANATEE LITERACY COUNCIL

Dorothy’s story highlights the life-changing impact of literacy. From struggling to navigate daily tasks to becoming a vital part of the MLC community, her progress reflects what’s possible when learners receive the support they need.

Six years ago, Patricia Valdivia left Peru and arrived in the United States filled with uncertainty about what her new life would bring. She worked hard, but learning English—and trying to communicate in daily life—felt overwhelming. “It was very difficult for me to communicate with other people,” she recalls.

Everything changed when she found the Manatee Literacy Council.

Imagine a stronger, more connected Manatee County—one where more parents can help their children with homework, more workers qualify for higher-paying jobs, and more neighbors can participate fully in the community. That’s the future we’re working toward through our 1% Initiative, a bold plan to help 680 adults improve their English and literacy skills by at least one full level by 2026.

Manatee Literacy Council is pushing toward our goal of serving 1,000 adult learners this year through our 1% Literacy Initiative. To reach the remaining 200 learners—many with the most fundamental English and literacy needs—we’re expanding our classes, strengthening our partnership with SCF, deepening connections with local nonprofits and churches, and developing new workforce literacy programs with area businesses.

Reaching this milestone means we will need to nearly double our classes and tutoring, and we can’t do it alone. If you know someone who needs free English or literacy support—or if your organization would like to help—visit ManateeLiteracy.org. Together, we can lift literacy in Manatee County, one percent at a time.

At Manatee Literacy Council, we believe that improving adult literacy by just one percent can transform Manatee County. That’s why our 1% Literacy Initiative aims to serve 1,000 adult learners this year—because every learner strengthens their family, their workplace, and their community.

To reach this important milestone, we must nearly double our classes and tutoring, especially for the adults entering at our most fundamental English levels. Each class costs $9,300 a year, and sponsoring a three-month semester costs $2,325.