Opened officially on September 8, 2011, PUSH is helping community members overcome obstacles that prevent them from living their lives and obtaining an education. We are providing assistance with a full range of challenges, including housing, medical care, food, school, immigration, entitlement issues, and more. We are pledged to helping people of all ages to find their way. Ultimately, PUSH’s focus is on healthier families.

PUSH is a network including Harlem-based organizations and others throughout the city that helps people of all ages to acquire the education they desire and solve problems that are holding them back. PUSH is a continuation and expansion of Literacy Partners work at the Oberia Dempsey Center, where we have provided free adult education classes for more than 10 years.

The Family Welcome Center at PUSH

Our new Family Welcome Center is the first stop for enrollment in our literacy programs as well as for case management and referrals for wrap-around services.

PUSH case managers offer personal needs and family assessments. Once evaluated, individuals and their families are connected with resources, including Literacy Partners adult education classes. Case workers make referrals, arrange appointments with other service providers, manage progress, and provide ongoing support and assistance. PUSH’s network is extensive, Harlem-based and city-wide.

Our Services – Opening Doors to Success

At PUSH, Harlem residents receive personalized attention and case management. Community members who also enroll in our adult literacy classes will benefit from all of the supports they need to attend class on a regular basis, through completion of their course of study.

Literacy Partners adult education classes include Adult Basic Education (up to the fourth grade level), Pre-GED (fifth to eight grade levels), and classes leading to the GED (high school).

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) is also offered.

All adult education classes incorporate, Financial Literacy, Health Literacy, and Employment Counseling.

PUSH hosts special workshops on Saturdays for students, their families, and the Harlem community. Offerings include topics such as budgeting and cash management, interviewing skills, and managing parent/teacher relationships and conferences.

The center’s computer lab is available for writing resumes, applying for employment opportunities, and conducting additional research.

Our Harlem Community Partners

• Bread & Roses Integrated Arts High School
• Harlem Center for Education – Educational Opportunity Center
• Harlem Children’s Zone
• Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc.
• Harlem Stage
• Harlem Vet Center
• Latino Commission on AIDS
• New York Cares
• Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership, Inc.
• Project Enterprise
• Reach Out and Read of Greater New York
• State University of New York, Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center
• The DOME Project
• Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation
• Urban Justice Center
• West Harlem Community Organization Head Start & Pre-School HeadStart Program
• Women’s Prison Association
• Literacy Assistance Center New York City Regional Adult Education Network
• New York State Education Department Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services

Hours of Operation

Monday through Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Contact Us

For more information, referrals, and to enroll for classes, please visit:

Family Welcome Center*
Partners United to Strengthen Harlem (PUSH)
Literacy Partners – Literacy Zone

Oberia Dempsey Center
127 West 127th Street, Room 207
(Malcolm X Boulevard)
New York, NY 10027

* Remember to bring your ID.

Call: 212-725-9200
Email: push@literacypartners.org

Partners United In Strengthening Harlem (PUSH), is Literacy Partners, Inc. Literacy Zone project in Harlem.

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