About Us

Alaska Literacy Program

Changing Lives Through Literacy since 1974

Welcome to Alaska Literacy Program

Our Story

Alaska Literacy Program

The mission of the Alaska Literacy Program is to change lives through literacy. Since 1974, ALP has been providing literacy services to Anchorage residents and individuals throughout the state. ALP recruits, trains, certifies, and supports volunteer teachers who work in a classroom setting teaching reading, writing and speaking English to adults. ALP supports eight classrooms and one computer lab on site at 1345 Rudakof Circle #104. ALP provides year-round programs for adults and families with young children, concentrating on those most in need: beginning learners in reading and English. ALP changes lives and enriches our community by teaching adults literacy skills to increase their self-sufficiency. ALP's Peer Leader Navigator initiative provides information on access to health care, mental health care and disaster preparedness for Anchorage community members. It is the philosophy of Alaska Literacy Program that adults have the right to be free from the burden of illiteracy - free to function as independent, productive citizens. ALP is an accredited member of ProLiteracy, the largest volunteer literacy organization in the world.

History

The Alaska Literacy Program (ALP) is a volunteer based non-profit that has provided basic literacy instruction to adults in the Anchorage area for 40 years. ALP responds to the increasing need for adult basic education and English literacy by developing and adding classes and programs. Our mission is "Changing lives through literacy." ALP began in 1974 as the Anchorage Literacy Project when a small group of dedicated individuals led by Frances Jones, who wanted to make a difference in the lives of adults with minimal reading skills. We were an all-volunteer agency until 1983 when Jackie Johnson became the first Executive Director. In 1986, ALP moved into permanent housing by purchasing 2 office condominiums on Rudakof Circle. Donna Chaikoff served as Executive Director from 1989-1999. Polly Smith became Executive Director in 1999. ALP's staff grows and shrinks depending on grant cycles and funding ability. ALP has been on the cutting edge of volunteer literacy programs. The agency developed video training tapes in 1986, one year before the national organization. The need to address adults with learning disabilities fostered the Multi-Sensory Instruction Program which became a program with promising practices in a national seven year study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, 1998-2005.

Accomplishments

Accolades Received 1999-2002: Outstanding Program Award, Laubach Literacy America 2003: Outstanding Adult Education Teacher, Gladys Geertz, awarded by Commission on Adult Basic Education 2004: Model Program for the Dollar General/ProLiteracy Program Accountability Initiative - Data 2006: Outstanding Adult Learner, awarded by Commission on Adult Basic Education 2006: Model Program for the Dollar General/ProLiteracy Program Accountability Initiative 2008: Model Program for the Dollar General/ProLiteracy Program Accountability Initiative 2009: Outstanding Volunteer Program Award for the BP Golden Heart Volunteer Service Awards, awarded by AAVA 2013: Partners in Adult Learning Services, The Anchorage Health Literacy Collaborative, awarded by Commission on Adult Basic Education 2013: Innovative Program, The Anchorage Health Literacy Collaborative, awarded by Institute for Healthcare Advancement

Alaska Adult Education Awards Administrator's Award - 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2012 President's Award - 1981, 2010, 2012, 2014 Program Award - 1990, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2010, 2013 Outstanding Adult Educator - 2001, 2002, 2004 Outstanding Volunteer - 2000, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2012 Rising Star Award - 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012