For this report, TLC visited Beyond Literacy’s West Campus to learn more about their work supporting adult learners.
Author: Andy Stutzman
March 12, 2026
When I arranged to visit Beyond Literacy’s West Campus for this spotlight, I didn’t realize how cold it was going to be outside. I was thankful to enter such a warm and inviting space. I was greeted by both Kieran Farrell, Director of Student Support and Digital Navigation, and CEO Kimmell Proctor. Formed in 2020, Beyond Literacy is a merged agency from longstanding non-profits Center for Literacy and the Community Learning Center. The merger was pivotal, as it allowed the organization to create a unified strategy to provide critical services and reach more people across Philadelphia.
As Philadelphia’s largest adult literacy provider, Beyond Literacy has been offering both reading and math instruction for many years.
With a strong connection between digital skills and literacy, adult learning programs have always had strong representation with the Technology Learning Collaborative. Recognizing this connection, in 2020 Beyond Literacy applied to lead one of the Digital Navigator programs for the City. With a well established client base, they have played a key role in connecting households with low cost internet services, computers, and digital skills training.
During my visit, I was able to sit in on a Northstar Digital Literacy course class led by Instructional Technology Specialist, Luriel Balurea. The students were a diverse set of ages and backgrounds with a variety of reasons for attending. They shared how the course is assisting them with improving their career opportunities, pursuing their hobbies, and staying up-to-date. Luriel was assisted by Maili McGraw, one of two Americorps members that support their digital literacy programs. The Americorps program has played a critical role in supporting many organizations doing similar work in Philadelphia.
The mission of Beyond Literacy involves more than just basic literacy training, but also includes workforce development, digital skills and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) programs. In fact, their computer lab at their West Philadelphia campus is also a Pearson VUE testing center where learners and community members can take a variety of certification assessments. And, their DTEN interactive whiteboard technology allows teachers to facilitate a hyflex model, where learners can attend remotely or in-person, depending on their needs. This is a very inclusive model that opens the door for individuals with varying abilities and those with hectic family and work schedules.
In 2025, Beyond Literacy served nearly 2,000 adult learners providing over 212,000 class and tutoring hours. Their Digital Navigator program alone served 2,643 residents. This included distributing 248 laptops to those in need, connecting over 100 households with internet services, responding to 478 tech support requests, and supporting 275 digital skills learners in earning 568 Northstar Digital Literacy credentials.
Partnerships with the City’s Office of Innovation and Technology and Mayor’s Office of Education have enabled Beyond Literacy to consistently provide Digital Navigation and Digital Skills services to Philadelphia residents over the past 5 years. The organization has physical campuses in both West and North Philadelphia, and offers digital skills classes at Free Library of Philadelphia and Philly Parks and Recreation locations around the city.
Another service that sets Beyond Literacy apart is their Mobile Learning Lab. Led by the venerated Jemal Davis, the lab is a modified bus fitted with a wifi connection and room for eight laptops. This allows the organization to meet learners in areas of Philadelphia far from training sites to provide pop-up training programs. Jemal was excited to show me the lab and talk about how the investment in a mobile lab has allowed them to assist people that are typically hard to reach.
As I talked with staff and learners, you could truly feel the sense of community and connection that Beyond Literacy has developed over the years.
With the expansion of their ESOL program, hyflex learning options, and the Mobile Learning Lab, they are providing more essential education and digital navigation services to underserved and hard to reach communities. Additionally, their new Community Resource Hub, available at both West and North campuses, provides free nonperishable food items and personal hygiene products to help ensure that everyone has access to the basic necessities that support learning.
I entered Beyond Literacy’s West Campus on a cold winter morning, but I left with a warm sense of connectedness. They lead with a sense of empathy and compassion that serves thousands of people across Philadelphia each year. The Technology Learning Collaborative is proud to have this incredible organization as one of our members.
You can connect more with Beyond Literacy on their website and through their LinkedIn profile.