Community-Action Narratives-Developing Opportunities (CAN-DO) is an attempt to engage adult literacy learners in the popular education method of generating narratives ("stories") around community development themes. The process originated in the desire to involve adult learners in the development of curriculum for literacy education in a community development context.

Variations of the CAN-DO process have been used in pilot projects in two areas of New York State. In 1997, a group of adult educators including EvenStart, Literacy Volunteers and Cooperative Extension staff, volunteers, and students participated in a workshop in Groton, New York. They first identified work related issues for families living in rural areas. In pairs, participants shared individual work experiences which were written down as language experience stories and later shared with the large group. In a follow-up workshop, the CAN-DO process was presented as a way of using clients' stories as tools for learning by telling and recording stories, reflecting on their meaning, relating them to community issues, and connecting them with the experiences of others. Later, interviews conducted by Cornell students explored the perceptions of project planners and participants and barriers to using the CAN-DO process. For more information contact Chip Carlin, LVA-NYS ( ccarlin@lightlink.com ).

A second experiment with the CAN-DO process took place in 1997/98 with students from the Tioga Adult Learning Lab. The Lab, located in Owego, New York, is staffed by Literacy Volunteers of Broome/Tioga Counties. At the lab adult students can take classes in basic literacy and computer skills. A group of students, led by Paul Miller, Instructor, explored the problem of lack of transportation in their area through narratives and language experience stories. For more information contact Chip Carlin, LVA-NYS ( ccarlin@lightlink.com ).

Through the support of the Rural Literacy and Community Development Initiative, the Women's Empowerment Group, of Tompkins Learning Partners, Ithaca, New York plans to collect and publish a group of stories and poems written by themselves and other adult learners in the program. The group hopes to publish the collection of writings by fall 2000 in print and on the Web. The project will be a good vehicle for encouraging student "voice." It will also encourage interaction and understanding among students of various backgrounds and experiences. It is hoped that the writing project will prove to be a springboard for greater student involvement in the program overall. For more information, contact Rocky Baughman ( ABE@TLPartners.org ).