Like all politics, adult and continuing education is local. Future directions for the field and its national associations should benefit local programs and the adult learners they serve. This column explores features of collaboration that could strengthen educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged adults. The foregoing ideas about diversity, collaboration, progress, leadership, and change can enrich program development for local adult and continuing education programs for economically less advantaged adults. There are also implications for national associations of people who work in the field. Concerted efforts of interested associations can greatly assist local collaborative programs. Adult and continuing education providers are uniquely positioned to contribute to reweaving of the social fabric and enhanced civic engagement in grass roots democracy.