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Mayor's Office For Adult Literacy
About Us
On September 17, 2019, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner officially launched the Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy (MOAL.) MOAL focuses on enhancing adult literacy advocacy and awareness and its impact on our economy, communities, families and individuals. MOAL promotes awareness of, and advocates and builds capacity for, Adult Literacy and Adult Education causes and providers in the City of Houston. The launch of the office was made possible by a generous grant from the CITGO Petroleum Corporation. Oversight of MOAL and its operations is administered by the Houston Public Library. As the 7th largest library system in the country, the Houston Public Library is a national leader with its core mission centered on service equity and promoting reading and literacy. MOAL is housed in the historic Julia Ideson Library across the street from City Hall.
According to the 2021 Houston’s Adult Literacy Blueprint, 1 out of every 3 adults in Houston has low literacy skills. This challenge affects the city’s competitiveness and overall economic vibrancy because literacy levels directly correlated to unemployment or underemployment, poverty, poor health, crime and recidivism, and a host of other social problems.
To address this challenge requires vision, strong advocacy, community support, and consistent approaches across the city. MOAL generates broad based support and high visibility on the issues surrounding adult literacy and influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, social systems, and institutions. MOAL works closely with stakeholder groups to accomplish this goal.
Our Vision
The Mayor's Office for Adult Literacy envisions a Houston where every individual can obtain the skills necessary to prosper and reach their full potential.
Our Mission
- To develop and execute continuously evolving strategies that engage a broad spectrum of sectors to generate awareness about, and support for, adult literacy and adult education in Houston.
- To develop partnerships to leverage resources benefiting adult literacy and workforce development systems.
- To advise on public policies that place adults on a pathway to learning and improving their earnings and their lives.
- To position adult literacy providers for success in supporting adults and families.
Our Aim
- To enhance adult literacy advocacy and awareness
- To actively listen to the needs of literacy providers and adult learners in Houston
- To facilitate access to adult literacy programs for the adults in Houston
- To support capacity building and help programs work together to improve learner outcomes
