Literacy in the Making

“English in Action” Thriving in Aspen

By Mitzi Rapkin, 5-30-06

In December 2004 Julie Fox-Rubin made a bold move. She took a ten-year old literacy program housed at the Basalt Library and converted it into a non-profit with it's own location, mission and fundraising challenges.

Less than two years later, the program now called English In Action is thriving and the Aspen Times reports that it is expanding to Aspen.

Currently, the program only has an office downvalley in El Jebel. The program works through volunteers who dedicate at least a year to teaching English language skills to primarily, but not exclusively, Spanish-speaking people. Those teams primarily meet in the El Jebel location.

Fox-Rubin told the Aspen Times, the organization has regularly received calls for service from people living in upvalley communities. English In Action turned down upvalley calls for service because its facilities couldn't handle them.

Pitkin County librarian Kathy Chandler agreed to provide free office space to English In Action. "We're so excited to not have to turn people away," Fox-Rubin said.

Sixty-three volunteers last year worked with 67 adults from 12 countries teaching more than 2,400 hours.

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