2026 Adult Education &

Family Literacy Week

September 14-18, 2026

 

AEFL Blog | Watch Student Videos | Register for Webinar

AEFL Week: Stories of Progress. Pathways to Success

Join us as we honor adult learners, educators, volunteers, and community partners through dynamic stories, CEO insight, and an an inspiring live webinar showcasing a student-teacher connection. This week is about putting a national spotlight on the importance of life-long learning, basic skills, and family literacy. Let's celebrate the commitment to self-improvement and career advancement through literacy. 

AEFL Week Blog

Hope through Literacy, One Person at a Time

We often make the case for adult literacy using measurable outcomes like higher paying jobs, economic mobility, success of future generations, improved health, and increased civic engagement. These results are definitely important, but they leave out a very important part of the story.

I want adult literacy to become a movement rooted in empathy and the belief that the opportunity to learn is a fundamental right. When someone struggles to read, our response should not be judgement, but curiosity about the barriers and opportunities they may never have had. Because when more people gain the skills to thrive, we all become stronger.

Mark-Vineis

Mark Vineis

President and Chief Executive Officer

ProLiteracy Worldwide

https://www.linkedin.com/in/markvineis/

Student Stories: 5 Reasons Why Adult Education Matters

Meet five adult learners whose stories show the reality of literacy. Each short video offers a brief point-of-view of what is possible when students have access to a supportive instruction and a community that believes in them. Need a bit of inspiration for the day, watch the videos below. 

Adult Learner

Angelina

Adult Learner
Watch Video
Adult Learner

Eleni

Adult Learner

Watch Video


Khalidou

Khalidou

Adult Learner
Watch Video
Adult Learner

Marion

Adult Learner

Watch Video

Adult Learner

Yousef

Adult Learner

Watch Video

Webinar: An Adult Learner, An Educator, and the Power of Adult Literacy 

When: September 15, 2026

Time: 2 PM EST

You don't want to miss this unique event featuring a inspiring conversation with an adult learner and the educator who supported her journey. Join this webinar to learn how literacy education and meaningful educator-learner relationships create lasting impacts for individuals, families, and communities.

  • Who should attend: Educators, volunteers, program leaders, partners, funders, policymakers, and community advocates.
  • What attendees will learn: Practical insights on learner persistence, classroom connection, and the role of adult education in family and community success.

Reserve your spot today and invite a colleague who cares about adult literacy.  

Hannah Sankan & Kara Krawiec at ProLiteracy Conference
Woman working on her computer

Why AEFL Week Matters

This is a moment to celebrate learner achievement, elevate educator impact, and invite more people to support programs that help adults build literacy, numeracy, English language, digital, and workforce skills. Join us this week to acknowledge and celebrate the power of adult education. Learn more about adult literacy and different ways to get involved. See more on ways to:

  •  Donate

  • Advocate
  • Become a member
  • Volunteer

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