Building Community and Empowering Employees Through Workplace Literacy

At Reach Literacy, we believe education is a bridge that connects people to opportunities, strengthens communities, and creates safer, more inclusive workplaces. Our Workplace Literacy program embodies this philosophy by providing employees with the tools they need to succeed while fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration.

Workplace Literacy goes beyond teaching communication skills; it builds community. We offer small-group sessions on-site during work hours, removing common barriers like transportation and scheduling conflicts. These accessible classes give employees practical skills and create space for connection,
resulting in a supportive environment where everyone feels valued. That camaraderie often extends beyond the classroom, improving teamwork and morale across entire organizations.

This sense of connection is especially meaningful for new immigrants entering our community’s workforce. Language barriers often lead to isolation, making it harder to understand workplace expectations or fully engage in their roles. Our tailored classes help employees improve their English proficiency and confidence, enabling them to better communicate with colleagues and supervisors. This empowerment
also boosts morale, opens doors to advancement and helps participants feel more integrated into the community.

Safety is another critical outcome. Research shows that low literacy levels can increase workplace accidents and injuries due to misunderstandings of safety procedures. Clear communication is essential for understanding safety protocols and responding effectively in high-stakes situations. Our program helps mitigate these risks by empowering employees with the literacy skills needed to keep themselves and their coworkers safe.

One of our longtime partners, Avera Health, has seen firsthand how transformative Workplace Literacy can be. Julie Ward, VP of Administrative Services at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, shares:

“It’s been exciting to watch our student colleagues who participate in our onsite Reach Literacy program progress in confidence and ability, and hear the positive comments from their leaders regarding the improvement in communication. We know that as our colleagues’ literacy skills improve, so does their ability to better navigate important areas like health care, finances, community engagement, and family life, while opening more doors for career advancement.”

Avera’s experience highlights what makes Workplace Literacy so powerful: its benefits extend beyond the workplace. As employees gain confidence and stronger communication skills, they’re better equipped to help their children with homework, understand medical documents, manage their finances and engage more fully in civic life.

As our community continues to grow and diversify, programs like Workplace Literacy are more relevant than ever. They represent an investment not just in individual employees but in the collective success of our businesses and neighborhoods.

To learn more about Reach Literacy’s Workplace Literacy program visit reachliteracy.org or contact me directly at molly@reachliteracy.org. Together, we can build stronger workplaces, and a stronger community, through the power of literacy.