The target population for Mi Familia is the Spanish-speaking families of Sterling Park. The project addresses the community’s needs for continual, extensive English language learning, childhood literacy, job readiness, citizenship preparedness, and family support. These needs will be addressed through three areas of learning: We Learn From Others (family learning), We Learn With Others (children and adult peer group learning), We Create Together (community-based learning). The success of the program will generate direct attention towards the importance of literacy, and the family role in developing a stronger community.

The three parts of the program give child and adult participants time to meet exclusively with their peers and together as a family unit to learn about literacy, language, and community. By learning in a shared space, adults and children will better understand what the other group is learning, making them better equipped to help each other on their journey. After the 12-week program’s end, participants will be encouraged to continue attending other library programs, including Sterling Library Advisory Board meetings, so that they may become integral and vocal members of the community.

The expected results of the initiative will be patrons' improvements in literacy, language, and life skills. Together the families will improve their interactions by developing a social community where they can learn from one another and take pride in their community. Three key project goals/objectives are to:

• Enhance early literacy skills which will be demonstrated by families progressing through the program.
• Improve confidence in peer-to-peer activities which will be measured by increased interaction in group-led sessions.
• Encourage adults to actively become involved in the Sterling Library as shown in the number of library cards issued.