• Are you open late hours during the week?
• Are you open on Saturdays?
• Are your locations accessible by Metro bus or subway?
• Can I do your programs from home?
• Can I take my 2-year-old son to your place while I learn?
• Do you charge a fee?
• Do you provide job placements?
• How are your centers different from other literacy agencies?
• How long will it take me to complete your program?
• What is unique about your educational philosophy and approach to learning?
• Why did you start Living Wages?
• Why do you call your organization "Living Wages?"

Are you open late hours during the week?

No, we are not but we are open on Saturdays.

Are you open on Saturdays?

Yes, our centers, both at the 4th Street and V Street locations, are open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Are your locations accessible by Metro bus or subway?

Both our locations  are accessible from the Anacostia Metro station and then transferring to a Metro bus.

To reach our 4th Street location, transfer to either the A6 or A8 bus. 

To reach our V Street location, transfer to any of the following buses: 90, 92, 93. A42,  A46, A48, P1, P2, P6, V2, V5, W2, W3, W5, W6, and W8.

Can I do your programs from home?

No.  Our literacy programs are not geared from completing at home.  But as part of the learning process, you may be given some assignments and practice sets that should be done at home.

Can I take my 2-year-old son to your place while I learn?

Unfortunately, we do not have child care facilities at either of our locations.

Do you charge a fee?

Yes.  We do charge a small fee for many of our programs.

Do you provide job placements?

We  do not provide direct job placements but we do try to refer you to good job resources.  Also, because we get to know you during the learning process, we may suggest possible job paths considering your strengths and skills.

How are your centers different from other literacy agencies?

We use a plan developed by the National Institute for Literacy known as "Equipped for the Future."  The plan teaches skills and content through the development of the roles in which adults actually live their lives -- the roles of parent, worker, and citizen.

How long will it take me to complete your program?

Our programs  are self-paced.  In other words, it depends on the time and effort you put into it.  Some can finish it in about 6 months, while others can take 2 years.

What is unique about your educational philosophy and approach to learning?

Our educational philosophy is based on the principles of "popular education," first articulated by the late Brazilian educator, Paulo Friere. 

Unlike traditional adult education which starts with the premise that knowledge must be brought from outside by experts, we believe, as did Friere, that true education is based on dialogue between partners committed to social change.

Our starting point is the day-to-day experiences of the people who come to our centers -- their spirituality, their pains, their joys, and their hopes.  This kind of education is learner-centered, not teacher-centered.

Why did you start Living Wages?

Prior to founding of Living Wages, we realized that most people living in poverty can not share in the prosperity of our society without additional education and training.  They lack the skills needed to earn a decent wage. 

Moreover, we saw that places where they can get the education and training they seek, provided in the context of their daily lives and struggles, hardly exist.  So, we decided to establish such a place.

Why do you call your organization "Living Wages?"

We help people prepare to earn a living wage.  A living wage is one that allows workers to live in dignity.  We believe that adequate work with adequate pay for all who seek it is a fundamental means for achieving basic justice in our society.  We believe that all workers should receive a fair living wage and that no one who works for a living should have to live in poverty.