Thousands Across the State Show Support for Adult Literacy Education

ALBANY, NY (05/21/2010)(readMedia)-- Visiting offices from Suffolk County to Plattsburgh to Rochester, advocates across the state joined together in a day-long grassroots campaign, meeting locally with dozens of state legislators to urge support for the Adult Literacy Education (ALE) program.

Armed with hundreds of letters from community supporters, adult literacy advocates converged on their local legislators' district offices in counties across New York State. Advocates explained the importance of ALE and the dramatic effect the proposed 40-percent budget cut will have in local communities.

The proposed 2010-11 budget would cut more than $2 million from New York State's ALE program. The cut is in addition to a $612,000 reduction in the 2009-10 Deficit Reduction Plan (DRP). With the DRP's reduction of funding, ALE programs throughout the state are now faced with a nearly 40-percent slash from last year's funding level.

Gini Booth, executive director of Literacy Suffolk, delivered hundreds of letters to state representatives Sen. Brian Foley and Assemblyman Robert Sweeney. "Our volunteers provide one-on-one training to hundreds of students every year, removing the barriers to literacy and learning," Booth said. "But with a nearly 40-percent cut in just one year, we will no longer be able to recruit, train, support and match the most appropriate tutor to each of our adult students."

In the Rochester area, another several hundred letters were delivered to Sen. Joseph Robach, Sen. James Alesi, and Sen. Michael Nozzolio's district offices. Letters were also delivered to Assemblymembers David Gantt, Joseph Morelle, Robert Oaks and David Koon. Robert Mahar, executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Rochester, fears the consequences of the budget cut. "This cut in funding would be disastrous," Mahar said. "We work with nearly 500 students each year and have more than 300 volunteer tutors, yet we still have a waiting list of more than a 100 students. With this 40-percent cut, we are losing tens of thousands of dollars in just one year, which means that at least 60 students here will not get the educational support they need to read, write and succeed in the workforce."

Jane Murphy, executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Oswego County, Inc., reminded legislators that they are the only agency in Oswego County that provides adult literacy education. "Forty percent of our budget is from state funding," said Murphy. "We would be dramatically affected by these cuts."

Central New York adult literacy advocates also brought hundreds of letters to Assemblymembers Albert Stirpe, Joan Christensen and William Magnarelli. They pleaded with legislators to be mindful of the dire consequences a 40-percent cut will have on the students and the community.

"Twenty-two percent of New Yorkers have below basic literacy skills," said Marsha Tait, executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Greater Syracuse. "This program is a necessity for so many, and our one-on-one volunteer program has helped hundreds of New Yorkers every year. Not only does it provide the support and educational services our adult students need in today's workplace, it also provides the knowledge and opportunity so they can help their children and grandchildren succeed in the future."

In the North Country, adult literacy advocates visited Assemblymembers Dede Scozzafava, Addie Russell and Janet Duprey. Senators Joseph Griffo and Darryl Aubertine also had hundreds of letters delivered to their offices.

Visiting Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer, Patricia P. Rajala, president and CEO of Literacy Volunteers of Westchester and Rockland Counties, Inc., also expressed her concerns and frustration. "In just our region alone, we teach nearly 500 students every year. Most of our tutors are volunteers, but with a nearly $45,000 cut in just one year, our program will be severely hurt."

"Literacy is a barrier for thousands of adult New Yorkers across the state," said Kevin Smith, executive director of Literacy New York. "Today's statewide advocacy effort in conjunction with the huge outpouring of local support is just another indication of how important the program is to the students, the volunteers and the community. This outrageous, unsustainable cut must be reconsidered."

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Since 1977, Literacy New York (LNY) has been a leading advocate for adult literacy in New York State and nationally. Literacy New York provides technical, program, and training assistance and workshops to a network of 37 local, community-based affiliates who annually provide over 400,000 hours of reading and basic skills instruction to adult learners.

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