Across the U.S., 30 million (14%) of the adult population read at or below a 5th grade level. An additional 63 million adults (29%) cannot read well enough to understand a newspaper story written at the eighth grade level. Forty-three percent of adults with the lowest literacy levels live in poverty.

Over 2 million New Yorkers read at or below basic literacy levels and need literacy services. These adults may have trouble filling out a job application, reading a newspaper written at the 8th grade level, helping their children with school work, reading and following directions on a prescription label, or they are immigrants needing English for citizenship, jobs, and to be part of the American dream.

Across New York State, fewer than 10% of low reading level adults are currently being served by volunteer literacy organizations and adult education agencies. The need for tutors, office and administrative volunteers, volunteers to help in computer labs and with special projects – mailings, newsletters, special events like Scrabble, fund raising, etc. – is monumental. You can be part of the solution and help ensure that those who need literacy services, regardless of where they live in New York, have programs and tutoring available.

LNY’s 35 affiliates are located across New York State and offer volunteer training and on going support. Your donation of volunteer time and/or your monetary investment in LNY can help the Literacy New York network Build Literate Communities Across New York State. Follow one of the links below to learn about how to Get Involved in Literacy:

• Volunteer at one of LNY’s 35 community-based affiliates.
• Advocate on behalf of adult literacy and literacy funding/support at the state and national level.
• Invest in Literacy New York to support programs, capacity building, and to build a more literate NY.
• Find Literacy Help – if you are an adult learner seeking literacy services, there is great opportunity for you to find and receive literacy help.

Contact Literacy New York, 149 Central Ave., Lancaster, NY 14086, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 716-651-0465 with any questions.