Following a study which confirmed widespread and unmet needs of many individuals in the Manchester community, the project began in November 1978. By January 1979, a substantial number of people had come for help with basic English or mathematics, to join in the creative art workshops, or to seek advice on various aspects of education and training. Since the project's inception, over 1,000 people have sought help. The project offers four major types of educational services, including outreach and promotion work, consultative and development work, advisory and information assistance, and direct provision of specific courses. The project staff regularly visits inmates to advise and to arrange enrollment in appropriate courses; probationers' needs are also addressed. Since the program serves those whom the traditional educational system has failed, basic philosophical principles direct the program. Student-centered learning, variety in provision, participation and equality, autonomy, and voluntary participation are emphasized. The project has a referral system, assessment procedures, timetable of activities, course organizational, and feeder systems into local resources. The broad principles underlying the Manchester experience may be applied to other communities. Footnotes are included, and the timetable format is appended.