Literacy Partners

Literacy Partners, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides free, community-based literacy classes to thousands of New York City adults.

Importance

Over 97 million Americans cannot read beyond the fifth grade level and nearly 3.7 million New Yorkers need adult literacy services, but only 3.2% have access to them- leaving thousands of individuals on agency waiting lists. Many of these adults are considered “functionally illiterate” meaning they cannot locate an intersection on a map, comprehend the instructions on a medical prescription, or understand the implications of their child’s report card.

An inability to read and compute hinders millions of individuals from reaching their potential as parents and citizens and prevents them from participating fully in society. Low literacy skills cost American businesses billions in lost productivity each year. High levels of functional illiteracy are felt throughout our community, leading to multigenerational cycles of poverty, poor health, school failure, higher tax burdens, and remain as obstacles to economic growth.

Literacy Partners offers free classes to help combat these issues. Classes offered range from English for Speakers of Other Languages to Adult Basic Education to pre-GED classes. Many LPI students successfully pass their GED exams and/or go on to obtain gainful employment.

Class Locations

Currently, Literacy Partners offers classes at several locations throughout New York City, including the Oberia Dempsey Center in Harlem, WHEDco in the Bronx, the Henry Street Settlement and in partnership with the Doe Fund.

History

Literacy Partners was founded in 1977 by Liz Smith, Parker Ladd and Arnold Scaasi. Today, Literacy Partners is led by Executive Director Susan A. McLean, who has over 20 years of experience in the field of adult literacy.

Literacy Partners is a member of ProLiteracy and the New York Association for Continuing and Community Education, among others organizations.