Goal Statement

Literacy Partners, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, provides free community-based adult and family literacy programs to ensure that all adults have the access to quality education needed to fully realize their potential as individuals, parents, and citizens.

“The printed word has been so central to my life, that I can’t imagine living without the ability to read and write. Making this possible for others, denied these skills for whatever reasons is a profound and thrilling experience.”
- Liz Smith, Honorary Chairman

Who we are…

Our mission is to ensure that all community members have access to the education they need to realize their potential as individuals, parents, and citizens.

Literacy Partners provides life-changing opportunities for many people who are on society’s margins. For most, our programs are their last and only opportunity to gain the basic skills that are essential for survival in the 21st Century.

What we do…

Literacy Partners believes that everyone has a right to read and succeed. We offer classes to teach adults the basic literacy skills essential to lead a full life as individuals, parents and citizens.

We teach thousands of the 3.7 million adults who are functionally illiterate in New York to learn to read. We help to ameliorate key social problems including, poverty, crime, poor parenting, welfare dependency, health and financial illiteracy. Through participation in our programs, adults become capable, committed, and able to enter the mainstream of society. Committed students see tangible differences in the quality of their life and the lives of their children.

Why it matters…

Literacy Partners programs have a personal, effective, and enduring impact on our students.

They enhance worker productivity, encourage the children of participants to learn, and improve family life. For donors Literacy Partners is a great investment in the future of our city and its residents.

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.

What makes us different?

Literacy Partners is the gold standard for adult literacy programs in America.

We place great emphasis on outcomes and accountability. As the only nationally accredited program in New York City, Literacy Partners has an unmatched record of success and a full continuum of literacy program that meet or exceed the accepted targets.

We are uniquely qualified to help our clients maximize their opportunities.

Board Governance and Staff Leadership…

Liz Smith, noted columnist, is the Honorary Chairman.

Peter Brown, President of Brown Lloyd James Ltd., is the Chairman of the Literacy Partners Board of Directors.

The Literacy Partners Board of Directors is comprised of thirty members each of whom are elected to the Board for three years. Board Members represent a variety of fields including banking, publishing, media, public relations, law and education.

The Executive Director, Susan A. McLean, is a leading expert in the field of adult literacy and brings twenty plus years as an educator with a specialization in adult literacy, demonstrated leadership, and noteworthy educational accomplishments.

Literacy Partners has a dedicated staff of over 30 individuals and over 100 volunteers working day and night to fight illiteracy in New York City. The success of our students depends upon support from you.

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