The essence of First Literacy is our belief in the power and possibility of literacy for all. Literacy is essential for individual achievement and community progress. The transformative power of literacy opens life-long opportunities for adults; and these adults, enriched by their increased education, can model the attitudes necessary for educational success for their children. Children's educational achievement and the health and productivity of our society depend on increasing adults' educational levels. Yet in Boston there are over 6,500 adults on waiting lists for a seat in a literacy classroom. These adults who have taken steps in improve their lives and their children's futures must wait - sometimes as long as three years until a place opens for them. Every day they wait is a lost opportunity for them, their families, and our society. We hope our programs can change this.