The dilemma is familiar: too few resources to meet too many demands. Common to many public institutions, this problem poses special challenges to those working in community colleges, adult education and literacy programs, and workforce development organizations. These organizations all serve people who are at an economic and educational disadvantage in the society and want to upgrade their knowledge and skills. Although their missions differ, there is substantial overlap among the three, and this overlap in goals creates opportunities, particularly for community colleges. Many communities across the country are developing community partnerships around these issues of workforce development and adult literacy. Workforce development and adult education needs are unlikely to diminish in the foreseeable future. If anything, demands are likely to increase, stretching limited resources to the breaking point. Community partnerships cannot solve every resource problem, but they can enable communities to expand their services to adults who need them and improve the skills of the local workforce. As the examples in this article show, community colleges can play a leadership role in such partnerships, enlarging their own service to the community in the process.