About Literacy Connects
OUR MISSION
Connecting people of all ages to a world of opportunities through literacy and creative expression
OUR VISION
Society thrives when literacy and creative expression are championed, fully supported and accessible to all individuals
OUR CORE VALUES
- Equity and Social Justice require that everybody has the equal opportunity to participate, learn and contribute.
- Creativity and Imagination are at the core of innovation and deep learning.
- Collaborative Relationships are the key to our success.
- Joy nourishes our lives and shows us what is possible.
- Transformational Learning opens doors to personal power and potential.
OUR ROOTS
In 2007, community leaders met at a Tucson Regional Town Hall to discuss the critical issues facing our region. This group identified increasing literacy levels as the single best way to ensure a prosperous economy and an improved quality of life for everyone in Tucson. Following the Town Hall, a diverse coalition continued the discussion. Then, in July 2011, five local organizations merged to become Literacy Connects.
Literacy and Social Justice
One of Literacy Connects’ core values is Equity and Social Justice, which requires that everybody has the opportunity to participate, learn and contribute. In pursuit of this, we advocate for equal access to educational opportunities. One way we live up to this value is by making our programs available to all.
Equal access to educational opportunities is social justice, and bound to literacy. Historically, barriers to access to literacy have been used as means of oppression. Though the barriers have differed over time, the inequitable impact remains. Literacy gives our students the tools to analyze problems, create solutions, and advocate for themselves and the community. These tools begin to address those systems of oppression.
Self-expression, creativity and imagination, collaborative relationships, joy, and transformational learning can be gained through literacy. This work for social justice is a process that moves forward with literacy for all. We invite you to join us as we learn about systemic inequities in our community and our role in addressing them.
Inclusive Excellence
As an organization that values equity and social justice, Literacy Connects strives to be a place where all feel welcome, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, immigration status, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. It is our diverse community that makes us who we are, and we stand against any and all discrimination, racism, and hatred.
Digital Equity
Literacy Connects advocates for Digital Equity as a critical part of Social Justice. Digital access, and the digital literacy skills necessary to navigate today’s world, are interwoven components of Digital Equity. Together, they enable the pursuit of educational goals, personal interests, work, and civic engagement. With our commitment to Digital Equity, Literacy Connects works to ensure that digital access and digital literacy skills are available to every member of our community as fundamental human rights.
