Families for Literacy

Read together... It's a Family Affair

Families for Literacy (FFL) is a program of the Oakland Public Library's Second Start Adult Literacy Program, serving Second Start students who are parents, grandparents or caretakers of children. FFL began in 1988 with the goal of empowering adult new readers by helping them share the joy and value of reading with their children.

Building a Cycle of Literacy

Many non-reading adults never experienced reading as a part of everyday life when they were children. As parents, they avoid reading and they do not read to their children; they may not be able to interest their children in books or encourage their children to make reading part of their own lives. Children whose parents do not read often grow up to have lower literacy themselves.

Second Start students with children in their immediate or extended families are invited to participate in FFL, where they work to build a cycle of literacy by reading and learning together. The skills they gain give adult new readers the tools and confidence to read to their children, to get their children ready for school, to help their children with homework and to encourage their children to develop a lifelong love of reading.

Family Programs

Family Programs are the heart of FFL. Family Programs are held once a month - usually in the evening, but occasionally on a weekend during the day, to allow as many people as possible to participate. Each program has a theme, ranging from family nutrition planning to nonviolent family communication to cooking to crafts and jewelry-making - all with an emphasis on improving family literacy. Each program includes a reading activity and discussion, a hands-on activity and story time. Parents, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews work side by side, knowing that each person is capable of both learning and teaching. Each child receives a new book at every event, and dinner or lunch is always served. Family Programs provide the support that adult new readers and their families need to break the cycle of illiteracy and to encourage reading in their own homes.

FFL also provides monthly books and reading worksheets for elementary school-age children, birthday gift books for each child, school supplies and information about childcare and schools. FFL sponsors field trips to bookstores, museums and other educational and fun locations where participants can practice their reading skills. FFL has an extensive library of children's and young adult books and books about childcare, children's health and parenting.

FFL is located in the Second Start office at the West Oakland branch public library. We work closely with the Children's Librarian and other library staff to teach and encourage FFL participants to use the library, and occasionally present joint programs with the West Oakland branch library. We also work with Children's Services throughout the Oakland Public Library system and provide outreach to elementary schools and preschools throughout Oakland.

"You should see how many books my son has at home from FFL. He has a whole little collection, and we just love to read those books together! And you know what? Since we've been looking at all of those books, both of our reading has improved."  — Second Start adult learner