Since White Eagle, two LNY providers who led breakout sessions that highlighted successful adult literacy programming have been awarded grants to expand their programs. Both programs appear to be attractive to funders for their relative simplicity, low cost, sustainability and positive outcomes. In this day and age, when securing funding is more and more difficult, literacy providers should look for fundable programs that produce measurable outcomes like the following.

Literacy of Volunteers of Rochester (LVR) received a $50,000 grant from Spectrum to support their Digital Literacy program. The grant will allow LVR to expand this program and help bridge the digital divide.

Lack of computers in homes or easy access to the internet has serious economic and social consequences. LVR launched their Digital Literacy program to increase access for Rochester residents. Digital Literacy is a free, one-to-one, drop-in service for individuals who want to learn basic computer skills or complete computer-essential tasks. The program is staffed by volunteer navigators who work at various community sites. Navigators also distribute free flash drives to participants who need them in order to retain key documents. To find out more about this program go to: http://www.literacyrochester.org 

Literacy New York Buffalo-Niagara (LNYBN) received a grant for $13,375 for the second year in a row from the Oath Foundation (formerly the Yahoo Foundation)/NYS Empire State Development. Funding is to expand the Adult Literacy Drop In Center at the Earl W. Brydges Niagara Falls Library and to increase the literacy skills of Niagara County residents and link them to employment or further training options.  Funding from last year’s grant created the Drop-In Center.

The Niagara Falls Drop-In Center provides immediate access to literacy services in a convenient, neighborhood-based location. The Drop-In Center helps low income adults complete job applications, resumes, seek employment or training opportunities, attain High School equivalency and other activities requiring basic literacy knowledge. The project includes the Hire An Adult Learner Program where students are matched with local employers and jobs in the area.

LNYBN promotes their Drop-In Centers as facilitating workforce development which is a big factor in funding these days. Through their research, LNYBN has amassed useful information, including:

• Research shows that literacy instruction pays off. In a national study, 80% of literacy programs reported a reduction in welfare dependence among their students
• Adult education students earned 53% more per year than adults not enrolled in programs. Students attending 100 hours or more of programming made $10,000 per year more in annual income.
• We help students attain high school equivalency which increases earning power and job prospects. The job market is shrinking for those without a diploma. A recent study projects that by 2018 only 10% of jobs will be available to those without a high school credential; 63% of jobs will require training or education beyond high school.

For more information on Drop-In Centers, go to: http://www.literacybuffalo.org/programs/

LNY’s goal is to provide value to provider agencies. Please let us know how we can help you. Contact us by calling 716.651.0465 or emailing Kathy Houghton at [email protected]