Invest In LVGS
LVGS APPEALS TO THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT CRITICAL ADULT LITERACY SERVICES – Donna A. Valerino, Executive Director
Literacy is essential to all aspects of life. Health, economic stability, social well-being, and civic engagement are severely compromised for a person who cannot read or speak English. Low literacy impacts a person’s ability to obtain employment, follow medical instructions, read nutritional labels, manage a checking account, pay bills, help children with homework, and read to a child. Low literacy perpetuates cycles of poverty and marginalizes families.
Daily, adults come to LVGS to gain literacy skills. Increased community awareness about literacy has resulted in increased referrals for service. We currently have a waiting list of 60 adults. The majority of our learners read below a 3rd grade reading level. LVGS is the program of choice for these adults because we offer the alternative to classroom instruction and our services are flexible. We meet adult learners at locations and times that accommodate work and childcare schedules. Research shows that adults having at least a 4th grade reading level are most likely to show educational gain within their first year of instruction, and are more likely to transition quickly into an adult education program such as BOCES or SEOC. Adults starting at the lowest literacy levels understandably require more time and individualized attention to demonstrate what NYSED defines as “measurable gain”. NYSED funding is directly tied to individual learners’ educational gains and attainment of GED/employment goals. These criteria directly impact our funding because we prepare students to transition into employment or GED programs. LVGS does not receive “credit” or funding for these gains. For this reason, we rely on the United Way and private donations to fund services for adults with the greatest need, the learners we serve. For many, LVGS is the only option.
A failing economy and rising fuel costs compete with charitable giving. Many local charities, including LVGS, are experiencing marked increases in requests for service. As a result, more charities are seeking support from the United Way (UW). Funding requests in the UW Vision category to which LVGS applied exceeded available dollars by 175%. As a result, LVGS received 36% of its funding request, which is a 6.4% reduction from last year. This reduction comes when LVGS is seeing the highest number of adults seeking services and significantly restricts the number of adult learners we can serve without additional community support.
LVGS, therefore, is appealing to individuals and businesses that believe in our mission to raise money to maintain critical core literacy services.
We need your support now more than ever!
