Literacy is more than the ability to read a sentence or sign your name. In 2025, literacy means navigating a world saturated with information, digital tools, and constant change. It is the foundation for lifelong learning from reading to a child at bedtime to filling out a job application, from understanding a medical form to spotting misinformation online.

And yet, the crisis is close to home. In Philadelphia, more than 200,000 adults lack the literacy, numeracy, or English language skills needed to fully participate in our economy and civic life. Across Pennsylvania, 40 percent of adults living in poverty also lack a high school credential. Nationally, 22 percent of adults face similar barriers. These numbers aren’t abstractions — they represent neighbors who want to earn better wages,

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