Project LEAP is funded by a grant from a major city-wide crime prevention initiative. Its goal to increase literacy, based on the premise that the crime problem in Jacksonville is in part a literacy problem (“Low literacy levels show a strong correlation with poverty, crime and unemployment” — National Institute for Literacy). By increasing literacy in the urban core, Project LEAP will be one of many community contributors to an increase in graduation rates, jobs and income in families. The urban core community has a need for educational programs that remove barriers to access by meeting people where they are.

The Jacksonville Public Library has been serving this constituency for decades, predominantly through services offered within our six libraries that are located in the target area; however, residents living in this area have been much less likely to take advantage of programs and service offered inside libraries than those in other parts of Jacksonville. By increasing literacy levels in the urban core, Project LEAP can be one of many contributors to an increase in graduation rates, jobs and income in families and to a reduction in crime. Project LEAP is funded through a Jax Journey grant as an anti-crime initiative.

To put young adults on the road to economic success by preparing them to pass the GED test. Our goal is for 13 students to receive a GED this year. To help children achieve educational success by teaching parents and day care providers ways to inculcate pre-literacy skills in young children. Sixty five percent of parents participating are reporting spending more time reading, storytelling, writing, etc., with their children. To remove barriers to educational and economic success for teenagers and young adults by increasing their digital literacy. Of the 1,210 attendees between January and June, 96 percent have demonstrated increased skill proficiency.