In Polk County, you can still find rural ranches and gorgeous groves. But the landscape is changing — more people are moving in and looking for jobs. And a requirement for many of those jobs is speaking English and a high school diploma. A good spot to get help with both of those hurdles is the Family Literacy Academy at Lake Wales. “We’re trying to improve the family life, so they can get a better job," explains Gail Crum, who helped start The Literacy Academy 18 years ago. “We know that the better educated the mother is, the better the children are going to do in school.” The center holds free classes to help adults improve their English. Esmeralda Contreras, who came here from Mexico, says the lessons are important: “For my kids, for my job, for all my life in this country,” she says. Also offered for free at the Academy are GED classes. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/community-connection/lake-wales-family-literacy-academy-transforms-lives/67-195982b1-f0c5-4539-922d-b82cef552685 ►Subscribe: https://on.wtsp.com/youtube ►Website: https://www.wtsp.com/ ►Facebook: https://facebook.com/10TampaBay ►X: https://twitter.com/10TampaBay