Literacy New York (LNY) and its accredited network of 35 local, community-based affiliates provide high quality, individualized one-to-one and small group tutoring to low reading level literacy and English language learners. Annually, the LNY network serves more than 6,200 learners through the services of over 6,500 volunteer tutors.

For the past 39 years, LNY has provided technical assistance, training, and helped build the organizational capacity of its affiliate network – and has advocated on behalf of adult literacy at the state and federal level. Literacy New York, a statewide network of community-based volunteer services, exists because there is a need to foster and strengthen literate communities throughout New York State.

LNY targets and serves a diverse cross-section of learners at the lowest National Reporting System (NRS) literacy levels. Many of these adults face multiple learning barriers, including a lack of English language proficiency and a range of learning disabilities. 

LNY’s individualized tutorial programs accommodate learners through flexible instruction that is research-based and provides real-life contextualized learning. To ensure that our services are coordinated and complimentary and to extend our technical capacity, we access appropriate outside resources and partner with a range of national, state, and community organizations.

LNY complies with the rigorous requirements of the 
National Reporting System (NRS), a federal standard of program 
benchmarks that focuses on adult learners' educational and 
employment gains. LNY is the only statewide volunteer-based 
literacy network in the nation to adhere to NRS standards, 
and our affiliates rise to the challenge – meeting and exceeding 
targets each program year. LNY's adherence to these standards 
enhances quality and consistency of the instruction offered 
to adult learners in our network.

LNY was founded with a vision and mission to serve adults and families most in need of literacy services. Our long-term commitment to serve the “hardest to reach and hardest to teach” literacy learners is reinforced by the ability to translate our mission into effective practice. 

During our decades of service, we have touched the lives of tens of thousands of adults seeking to improve their literacy skills. We have helped these adults achieve their personal goals: completing regular high school and GED diplomas; obtaining a job, retaining employment, advancing to a better job; reducing dependence on public assistance; meeting family and community needs; helping their children succeed in school; becoming U.S. citizens; transitioning to post-secondary educational opportunities.

Within the field of adult literacy and education, LNY has distinguished itself as an action-oriented organization willing to explore, to learn, and to adapt, retool, and develop programs and services that address the emerging needs of our learners and the rapidly changing and competitive environment for nonprofits. To that end, LNY has developed a comprehensive and seamless system of volunteer-based literacy services across the state. 

Our goal is to ensure that those who need literacy services, regardless of where they live in New York, have access to well-organized and high quality literacy and English language instruction.