Qualifications/Student Description

Literacy Partners offer adults, ages 16 and up, free instruction. Although there is no cost for our services, we hold a strict attendance policy in which students must agree to come to class at least two days a week for the entire 3 hour session. Once a candidate seeks us out, he or she is evaluated and assisted in finding the program that best suits his or her particular needs and interests.

A typical Literacy Partners adult tutorial student

• is 35 years old
• has completed 9 years of school
• speaks English
• has been in the program for over a year
• reads below the 4th grade level
• is employed
• has minimum wage employment

Referral Partners and the Referral Process

Our students come to us most often through referrals from numerous community-based organizations with whom we have partnered. On-going enrollment enables us to assign students continuously throughout the year. When a student calls, they will be invited to attend new student orientation before being placed in an appropriate program based on reading skills and geographic proximity. Students must commit to coming to class at least twice a week for three-hour periods.

To refer some one to Literacy Partners, simply give them our phone number or make the call with them. Please call 212-725-9200.

If you are from an organization and would like to receive more information about Literacy Partners, please complete an online request for a Referral Partner packet.

To learn more, browse our complete listing of programs.

Student Stories of Inspiration and Success

Our students have the greatest stories about how they came to Literacy Partners and how they succeeded in their goal for a more fulfilling life. Here are examples of these empowering experiences:

• A middle-aged woman who went from a 2.5 grade reading level to a pre-GED class in only 1 year; she is currently attending college, received her Associate’s degree, continues to mentor and tutor our students and is determined to “turn that GED into a PhD”.
• A former homeless man and substance abuser in his 40’s, who upon getting his GED, graduated from a certification program to become a substance abuse counselor; he currently interns with one of our referral agencies and still volunteers with LPI.
• A mother of two who worked on Wall Street for 20 years without her boss knowing she only read at the 3rd grade level; inspired to go back to school after her son’s and daughter’s college graduation, she quickly progressed to the 6th grade and is headed for that GED.
• A gentleman from the Caribbean, who completed high school in his native non-English speaking country, became fluent in English after only 6 months in the US and while attending our ESOL classes for only 3 months; he now works as a manager for a major clothing retailer and works part-time in adult literacy.
• A Bronx native who kept her illiteracy secret from her husband, was diagnosed with dyslexia and had been through 9 other adult literacy programs; received her GED, was one of our most active student leaders, is becoming computer literate and exploring college options.
• A mother of 3 from West Africa who spoke no English and could not read or write in her native language; with the help of her 9 year old nephew - who comes to class with her and takes on an active mentoring role by helping her to learn the alphabet - she continues to make gains in our Family Literacy program and hopes to instill the love for literature and learning to her children as they grow up.

Student Recognition

Class or center-based celebrations, such as a reading celebration or holiday party, are usually planned during the year; but all students, staff, volunteers and family and friends come together at the end of the school year in June to an organization-wide celebration.

In conjunction with the annual volunteer awards, this recognition gives several students, representing all of LPI’s programs, the chance to read in front of a large audience, receive a gift and plaque and possibly have their achievements mentioned in a local newspaper. During this ceremony, Literacy Partners also: prints the name of every student who made an academic gain in the program, gives them a certificate of accomplishment signed by the Executive Director, presents a Student-Volunteer of the Year Award, and publishes an annual book of student writings.

Other types of recognition throughout the year may come in the form of complimentary tickets for a play or special event such as the gala.

Student Involvement

Literacy Partners recognizes the importance of student involvement and has a long history of empowering students with opportunities to participate in the organization. Whether it is reading at the gala or year-end celebration, doing a presentation for a Referral Partner, or becoming a student-volunteer, our students’ voices and actions are the best endorsement of our effective services.

There are many different ways for Literacy Partners students to become involved in the areas they are most interested. Among them are:

• PEP volunteer: One of the first people new students meet at a new student orientation is a fellow student who has succeeded as an adult learner with our program. PEP volunteers help to put new students at ease by offering encouragement and support in the new student’s journey towards their education.
• Student Speaker: Referral partners often invite a Literacy Partners student to speak to their clients. Since most of our students are referred by these community organizations, and given that LPI’s best spokespeople/recruiters are our own students, this is a perfect match for motivating an audience with a personal account of how pursuing an education has been life changing.
• Events Volunteer: Throughout the year, some organizations hold community fairs and LPI students are ask to assist in the promotion of their services through tabling. In addition, students can represent Literacy Partners at special events by being a reader or by agreeing to be interviewed when media requests come through our External Affairs Department.

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