Strengthening Adult Literacy Through Urban Collaborations

A Presentation at the COABE Conference

April 13, 2026

Presenters

• Ameshica Linsey (Literacy Mid-South, Memphis, TN)
• Nada Anasseri (California Collaborative for Educational Excellence – Community Engagement Initiative)
• Paul Jurmo (Founding Member, Urban Alliance for Adult Literacy, Washington, DC)
• Other friends in attendance :)

This session’s objectives

Better understand . . .

• Basic terminology used today . . .
• “adult foundational education” (AFE)
• “urban” (and why we are focusing on “urban” communities
• “urban AFE coalition (aka network)”
• “Urban Alliance for Adult Literacy”
• What urban AFE coalitions/networks do and potential benefits of such collaborations of AFE and other local stakeholders
• How the Urban Alliance supports urban AFE coalitions/networks. And how others can get involved in UA.

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Share additional questions, ideas, or information with others here today.

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Please introduce yourself

• What you hope to learn or take away from this session

Q1a:What is �“adult foundational education” (AFE)?�

An umbrella term for a field that includes . . .

• Basic literacy and numeracy, ESL/ESOL, basic digital skills, GED/HSE and college prep
• Contextualized and integrated programs (sometimes in partnership with other stakeholders) focusing on learner needs related to work, family, citizenship, health, finances, criminal justice, media, disabilities, retirement . . .
• Supports related to social-emotional needs, life and career planning, earning of academic and occupational credentials/certificates . . .

Q1b: What do we mean by “urban” and why we are we focusing on urban communities?�

A flexible term referring to . . .

• Municipalities with approximately 100,000-plus residents
• Counties containing one or more such municipalities

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We chose this “urban” focus because (a) large segments of U.S. residents live in urban communities; (b) Urban Alliance is limited in its resources. (We think rural communities can and should consider forming similar AFE coalitions.)

Q1c:�What is an “urban AFE coalition (network)”?

Again, a flexible term that includes . . .

• Collaborations between an AFE organization and one or more other types of community stakeholders
• Collaborations of multiple AFE organizations
• A local multi-stakeholder network that includes at least one AFE organization

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Such coalitions (networks, cooperatives, initiatives . . .) can be based in governmental or non-governmental institutions.

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Q1d:�What is the “Urban Alliance for Adult Literacy”?

• UA is a national-level network of adult educators with an interest in supporting effective AFE systems in urban areas.
• Leadership and organizing of UA’s activities are provided by an all-volunteer Steering Committee, with technical support from ProLiteracy.

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(More about Urban Alliance to follow.)

Q2: What do urban AFE coalitions/networks do? What are potential benefits? ��

Such coalitions/networks can provide a range of supports for AFE programs, adult learners, and community stakeholders, including:

• planning and coordination of AFE services
• generation and administration of financial and/or in-kind resources
• recruitment of learners and staff
• professional development
• referrals of learners and other stakeholders
• joint activities (e.g., workplace education and health literacy ) customized to learners and other stakeholders.

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The overall goal of such activities is to strengthen community abilities to provide effective AFE supports to learners and other stakeholders.

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Q2 (cont’d): �Examples of Urban Coalitions in the Mid-South�

Nashville and the Memphis region have approached coalitions in different ways:

• Origins of these coalitions
• Funding and in-kind supports they receive
• Adult learners and other stakeholders served
• Services/supports/activities provided
• Lessons learned about what coalitions need to have in place and do to be successful

Q2 (cont’d): �Other Examples of Urban AFE Coalitions�

• Let’s hear from others here who are involved in urban AFE coalitions.
• Visit the UA website to see profiles of other coalitions from around the U.S.: https://www.urbanallianceforadultliteracy.org/urban-coalition-profiles.

Q2 (cont’d): How might these models of “urban AFE coalitions” be relevant to your community?

• How might these models be relevant to your community?
• Does your community currently have (or has it previously had) anything like the “AFE coalitions” that we have been talking about?
• If so, what do they do?
• Would it be helpful for those coalitions to network with others doing similar work elsewhere in the U.S.?

Q3: How does the Urban Alliance for Adult Literacy support urban AFE coalitions/networks?

• Origins: Grew out of three previous versions of urban adult literacy networks
• Mission: To support effective AFE coalitions in urban communities, so they can better help learners and community stakeholders to manage challenges and opportunities they face
• Activities: Greenhouse Meetings (webinars), a discussion group (around diverse themes), a website, occasional emails to those on our mailing list.

Q3(cont’d): How can others (including you) get involved in the Urban Alliance?�

• Get on UA’s mailing list
• Participate in Greenhouse Meetings (and possibly make a presentation)
• Submit your urban AFE network/coalition profile for our website
• Participate in our on-line discussion group, the Urban Café
• Publicize Urban Alliance and its activities within your own networks
• Explore whether and how you might join our Steering Committee or a Sub-Committee
• Join as an organizational or individual member (free)
• Suggest sources of funding or in-kind support for the Urban Alliance
• Contact us at urbanallianceforadultliteracy@gmail.com and https://www.urbanallianceforadultliteracy.org

Thanks!

• To all who participated here today.
• And to COABE for allowing us to meet with you.

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Contact us via email at urbanallianceforadultliteracy@gmail.com or talk with us while we are here in Indianapolis.

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What questions, ideas, or information do you have for UA and others here today?�

• Time permitting, let’s talk now about additional questions, ideas, or information you might want to share.