Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) Week 2025 Recap
From September 15th-19th, scaleLIT highlighted the importance of adult education through weekly activities, key statistics, and advocacy efforts in support of AEFL Week 2025.
We want to express our profound appreciation to all our members, partners, educators, students, community members, and elected representatives for participating in AEFL Week 2025 Activities.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias shared the importance of Adult Education and the continual commitment to this learning from the State of Illinois.
On Day 1 of AEFL Week, we opened the AEFL Week Writing Contest 2025 on Monday, September 15. We gathered 14 student responses from our member organizations and other service providers. We announced the Writing Contest Winners on Friday.
Student Winner: Shakira, a learner from Rohingya Culture Center
Adult Education Matters because “I was very scared when I came to United States because I don't know English. The important thing is that my pillar of my family. However, when I learned that there are communities and organizations that teach adults, I was very happy. I decided to learning ESL class from RCC. So, I will like to ask that these rights and opportunities always be there.”
Congratulations to Erika Husby from Rohingya Culture Center for supporting student Shakira!
On Day 2 of AEFL Week, we invited our community to print their Adult Education Matters sign and share why Adult Education Matters to them.
ScaleLIT members, partners, and elected officials shared pictures and videos with their signs. So, Why Does Adult Education Matter? Adult Education Matters because…
Learning is Lifelong
Knowledge is POWER
It strengthens communities
It breaks generational curses
It fuels families
Access to info is EVERYTHING
Education Drives Opportunity
Education opens doors, curiosity unlocks them
Robert Guzman, External Affairs Director, was featured on COABE’s Rise and Shine PODCAST, highlighting exceptional colleagues for the week. Take a listen: Rise N Shine Podcast | National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week - Episode 2, 2025
On Day 3, scaleLIT moderated group sharing at the Passion to Action Town Hall where community members shared thoughts and feelings about current challenges, impacts on programs, and what improvements can be made to create more of an impact!
On Day 4, we looked to COABE to streamline our advocacy efforts for AEFL Week. We used their Action Center to identify elected officials and seamlessly write messages supporting adult education services and funding. We’ve included links if you have not yet signed the pledge or contacted your elected representative.
On Day 5, scaleLIT held an In-Person Systemwide Meeting at the American Job Center at Arturo Velasquez Institute. ScaleLIT is the One-Stop Operator (OSO) for the Local Workforce Innovation Area (LWIA) 7 for Chicago and Cook County, contracted through the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. ScaleLIT hosted an in-person exclusive meeting to close out AEFL Week, where the City Colleges were honored with the Community Collaboration Award!
ScaleLIT moderated a panelist discussion focused on efforts across the public workforce system relating to the Home IL Workforce Pilot Panel. Representatives from Inspiration Corporation, All Chicago, and the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County shared the efforts being made across systems to address the homeless population in Cook County. ScaleLIT and partners will continue to share relevant information as we move into this space to build a stronger public workforce.
Look to scaleLIT’s Digital Drop-in Sessions and become a member of scaleLIT today to continue the good efforts to deepen the advocacy of adult education and workforce development.
