ADULT LITERACY SERVICES ARE CRITICAL FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY
GETTING THE WORD OUT: THE FUTURE OF ADULT LITERACY SERVICES IS CRITICAL FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY - Donna A. Valerino, Executive Director
This was a harsh winter – in terms of the weather and the funding realities for LVGS, as we are asked to do even more with less. As funders make difficult choices to streamline strained budgets, directing their limited dollars to support food, clothing and shelter, who out there could argue that these essential human needs aren’t paramount?
It’s an unnatural dynamic when local nonprofits find themselves competing for shrinking dollars in a recession that has increased the demand for services across an already strained service delivery system.
In recent months, I have been joined by volunteers and local advocacy groups to raise awareness about the long term solutions that adult literacy services offer. Illiteracy and low literacy are frequently the underlying root of homelessness, poverty, and poor health. Literacy is not just an essential human need; it is a basic human right.
Literacy in the home continues to be the number one indicator of a child’s success in school. We cannot improve and support our public schools without also recognizing the need to equip parents and caregivers with the literacy skills they require to create and promote literacy in the home, throughout the developing years of the child.
Clearly, it’s a difficult time to be in the position of asking for monetary support. However, it’s never been more imperative to invest in adult literacy. An investment in literacy is a boost for the economy. Hard working, creative, and motivated adults seek out our services to equip themselves with the literacy skills they need to obtain employment, parent their children, and become fully involved citizens. For many learners, LVGS is their only option. They rely on LVGS and LVGS relies on you.
LVGS tutors contribute services valued at $390,000 each year. In today’s market, who else can deliver this rate of return? On our part, LVGS is doing everything we can to further stretch your dollar. Since the recent loss of WIA funding and the 24% cut in NYS funding, LVGS has been operating in austerity mode. LVGS continues to explore strategic partnerships and other methods to consolidate our costs and preserve our current program levels. We are hopeful about our upcoming 13th Annual Corporate Breakfast on April 7th, and are very grateful to our sponsors, local businesses, and the individuals that support this annual event. LVGS could not do the work we do without the support of business leaders and corporations that believe in our mission. We continue to be inspired by the tenacity of our students, the dedication of our 200+ volunteers, and the generosity of the many individuals that donate to LVGS. We hope that we can count on your support as a donor, volunteer, or a voice to be heard in the fight to preserve the critical literacy services that our community has come to rely on for the past 47 years.
Photo Caption: Dan Young, NYS Governor’s Regional Representative discusses the NYS Budget crisis and the importance of preserving adult literacy services with Donna Valerino, LVGS Executive Director.
