Footpath Literacy

A life-changing chance for people experiencing homelessness to improve their literacy

While homeless people come from all walks of life, those with low levels of education or gaps in their schooling due to homelessness as children, successive placement in foster homes, or the onset of mental illness as adolescents are more likely to experience problems with reading and writing as adults.

The Learning Changes Lives Footpath Literacy program joins with The Footpath Library initiative to support adults who are homeless to develop their reading, writing and numeracy skills and turn their lives around.

In April, ALA CEO, Jenny Macaffer, met with Managing Director, Sarah Garnett, and Victorian Projects Manager, Katrina Webb, to discuss the expansion of the Footpath Library in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth as well as regional areas.

They also talked about the growing number of adults experiencing literacy challenges who need access to simple texts, reading glasses, and other supports—particularly those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.