The Blueprint Empowerment Academy’s Adult Literacy Program

Adult literacy

South LA South Bay Long Beach

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Adult literacy is a foundational skill that unlocks opportunity, yet over half of LA County adults struggle with basic reading & writing. For residents of underserved communities, this barrier directly impacts access to employment, healthcare, and civic life. The Blueprint Empowerment Academy recognizes how low literacy contributes to cycles of poverty, incarceration, & disengagement. An Adult Literacy Program is urgently needed to equip individuals with the skills to navigate everyday life—understanding medical instructions, completing job applications, reading to their children, & making informed decisions. Beyond functional literacy, our program will integrate life skills such as financial literacy, digital navigation, problem-solving, self-confidence & personal agency. Participants will also gain the communication & social skills essential for workplace success. This initiative will uplift individuals, reduce disparity & create economic mobility for marginalized residents.

The grant will support the Blueprint Empowerment Academy’s Adult Literacy Program, a comprehensive, community-based initiative designed to equip adults in LA County with the reading, writing, & critical life skills needed to thrive. The program offers small-group & one-on-one instruction tailored to each participant’s learning level, with focus on functional literacy~such as interpreting medical information, completing job applications, & understanding financial documents. Within our curriculum will include digital literacy, financial literacy, & future ready skills modules, ensuring participants gain economic independence. Classes will be held at accessible community locations with flexible hours, including evenings & weekends, to accommodate working adults & parents. Additionally we offer wraparound support such as tutoring, mentorship, & referrals to supportive services. This holistic approach aims to empower adults to improve quality of life & contributors to their communities.

Should The Blueprint Empowerment Academy’s Adult Literacy Program be granted funding, LA County will see a profound shift in participants & the vitality of entire communities. Adults who once struggled to read or complete basic forms will become confident, self-sufficient, & actively engaged in their personal & professional growth. We consider our success being increased employment rates, improved health outcomes, reduced reliance on public services, and decreased justice system involvement—especially among those in historically marginalized neighborhoods. Empowered with literacy, individuals will be equipped to support their family, self-advocates, & contributors to their community. We intend to serve as a bridge to opportunity by improving literacy & essential life skills for at least 250 adults annually, thereby promoting generational change. Through literacy, we envision a stronger, more equitable patron where all residents have the tools to reach their full potential.