Carolina Literacy serves adult English learners and their young children ages 1-5 from Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and across Orange County, NC.

Our adult learners range in age from 18 to 83 and are immigrants, refugees, and newcomers from diverse backgrounds, representing 15 native languages. Native Spanish-speaking adults make up approximately 57% of our learners, while 43% speak other native languages such as Burmese, Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin, and more.

Learners enter our program at every level, from beginners learning foundational words to more experienced English speakers preparing for U.S. citizenship, career advancement, or higher education.

Through our family literacy and childcare programs, we also support young children and equip parents with the skills, resources, and confidence to support their children's learning and prepare them for success in school.

Carolina Literacy is committed to fostering a learning community where every student, volunteer and employee feels respected, welcomed, and valued. Our mission is rooted in the belief that education thrives in safe, inclusive environments, especially for adult learners who may have experienced discrimination, displacement, or trauma in the past. 

We proudly welcome all learners, volunteers and employees regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, literacy level, socioeconomic background, or educational history. Discrimination or harassment of any kind, whether verbal, physical, digital, or nonverbal, will not be tolerated. 

Diversity is not only present in our classrooms; it is one of our greatest strengths. Students bring with them a wealth of languages, cultures, perspectives, and life experiences that enrich the learning environment and broaden our understanding of the world.