Our History

The Literacy Network of Larimer County was originally called the Fort Collins Coalition for Literacy and started by Sally Robinson around 1986. She set up the Coalition as a way for adult literacy programs in the area to communicate with each other and get training. Some of the original members were Margie Wagner, Ardith Loustalet and Mary Ellen Keen; and their experiences with the Literacy Network prepared them to go back to their own programs and instruct volunteers and tutors.

Connie Rockwell took over a few years later as leader of the Coalition, changing the name to the Literacy Network of Larimer County. She continued to organize training for tutors and volunteers. She also established the 484-READ phone line and coordinated periodic meetings with representatives from all of the local programs. These meetings gave the members a chance to become friends and alleviated any tension between programs competing for funding. Some of the members were the Volunteers Clearinghouse (now the ELTC), Even Start (now CORE Center), Poudre School District, Harvest Farms, the Larimer County Detention Center, and CSU. Representatives from these organizations met formally three to four times a year to be trained, to discuss upcoming local events, and to strengthen the relationships between the programs.

The Network faded for a few years after Connie Rockwell retired, but has been revived and is now organizing meetings every three to four months. These meetings are still being refined to best suit the many programs in the area in terms of topics of discussion, location, and time. Some of the consistent members during 2004 were Turning Point, Crossroads Safehouse, Larimer County Workforce Center, PSD, Front Range Community College in both Loveland and Fort Collins, CSU, Homerun Program, and Loveland and Fort Collins Public Libraries.