Neighborhood Philanthropy: Lafayette County Literacy Council

Neighborhood Philanthropy: Lafayette County Literacy Council

A Hidden Challenge in Our Community: The Story Behind the Lafayette County Literacy Council’s Mission

At first glance, Oxford and Lafayette County seem like places where literacy should thrive. With a world-class university, strong public schools, and a community known for its resources and pride, it’s easy to assume that reading challenges are problems faced elsewhere — not here.
But the reality tells a different story.

Behind the beautiful landmarks and bustling campuses, many of our neighbors are quietly struggling. Estimates show that between 20% and 25% of adults in Lafayette County can’t read well enough to fill out a simple job application. It’s a hidden barrier that limits opportunities, isolates families, and affects the future of our entire community.

The Lafayette County Literacy Council’s mission is to strengthen Oxford and Lafayette County through literacy and reading. They believe that the ability to read is not just a basic skill — it’s a foundation for a better life. Every program they offer, every event they host, and every volunteer they train is part of a larger story: a story about opening doors, building confidence, and giving people the tools they need to thrive.

Their work centers around four major priorities:
• Offering professionally developed literacy programs that meet people where they are.
• Inspiring children and families to discover the joy and power of reading.
• Serving as a trusted resource for literacy support and information in our community.
• Creating a welcoming, supportive environment for staff, volunteers, and everyone they serve.

Every book opened, every skill learned, and every new opportunity seized moves us closer to a community where literacy is a strength for all.

The Council’s biggest fundraiser of the year is tonight, May 1, starting at 6:00 p.m. at Circle and Square Brewing. We asked Emily Ferris, president of the board of directors of the Council, about this event, and she said, “All the money raised at Reads, Beats, and Eats stays in Lafayette County to support literacy programs like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the Children’s Book Festival where every first grader in the county receives a book and gets to hear from the author, and ABLE, our adult literacy program.”

For more information on tonight’s event and other ways to support the Lafayette County Literacy Council, follow the link to their website here.

Together, we can write a better future — one reader at a time.