Learning Lab is a literacy education center for low-income adults and families with young children. Instruction is individualized, based on students’ needs and goals. Adult students may work on basic skills including math, reading, writing, spelling, and, for many, English language learning. Students may also prepare for GED and citizenship tests. All classes include one-on-one tutoring and the use of educational software. In the family program, while parents work on their literacy skills, their preschool children engage in fun, literacy-based learning activities in their own classroom, so they are better prepared for school. As part of each session, parents work with their children to understand how to support their child’s learning at home and in school.

Vision Statement

Learning Lab strives to meet the needs of a growing community of learners.  As a welcoming organization, we will achieve this through the responsible growth of our educational environment and services, support of our staff, and engagement with our students, volunteers, donors and community.

Mission Statement

Transforming the lives of adults and families through personalized education

Values

  1. Literacy for all
  2. Everyone brings value
  3. We are a supportive community, learning together
  4. We have the confidence to grow

History

In 1991, Learning Lab began as an adult literacy project of the Junior League of Boise to address the needs of the workforce of the future. Classes began on the 4th floor of the Boise Public Library!, but as the number of volunteers and students increased rapidly, more space was needed. Within a few years, we added a family literacy program where adult students could bring their young children with them and learn together. With generous financial support from the community, a second facility, The Anna Margaret Jones Center for Learning, was opened in Garden City in 2006. In 2014, classes expanded to include the Library! at Cole & Ustick. In 2016, a new Outreach program began to offer classes for low-income neighborhood apartments. Over the past 30 years, we have provided basic skills education to more than 4,000 students.

Our Team

Executive Committee

Karin Hart, President
Sr. VP, JR Simplot Company’s Global Solutions

Eric Fredback, Treasurer
Investment Advisor, Pacific Value, LLC

Trevi Hardy, Vice President
Program Director of Adult Education, State of Idaho

Anna Courtney, Secretary 
Associate Counsel, St. Luke’s

Angella Broesch
Past President

Kristin Livingstone
Executive Director, Learning Lab, Inc. 

Board Members

Karin Hart,
President
Trevi Hardy,
Vice President
Anna Courtney,
Secretary
Eric Fredback,
Treasurer
Angella Broesch,
Past President

Mark Bennett
Sourette Chambreau
Jaime Ekman
Joey Hale
Kersti Kennedy
Stacy Meyr
Ben Moore
Brian Post
Sharifa Oria (Student Representative)

Advisory Board

A.J. Balukoff
Kevin Booe
Diane Boothe
Shauna Doerr

Greg Donaca
Sandy Fery
Anna Goss
Anne Moree Goss

Patty Northrop
Rick Polenske
Michael E. Rich

Lisa Rodriguez
Denise Smith
Gemma VanHole

Testimonials

It was over ten years ago that my love for reading drove me to volunteer at the Learning Lab.  My goal was to help others improve their reading skills. I discovered that the Learning Lab teaches so much more than just reading.

Learning Lab is a friendly, nurturing and safe place for adults and children to learn.  During  my tenure as a tutor I have worked with students just beginning to learn English, GED students, Citizenship students and preschoolers learning their letters.

I enjoy my days at the Lab and have learned from both students and staff.  As a donor and volunteer I urge you to donate to this wonderful organization.

Soeurette Chambreau