Literacy Assistance Center
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The LAC's Advocacy Work

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The Literacy Assistance Center (LAC) works in alliance with other adult literacy programs, not-for-profit organizations, and grassroots social justice organizations to ensure that every community in New York City secures the resources and opportunities they need and deserve.

In 2019, the LAC launched the Literacy & Justice Initiative (LJI). The LJI aims to build cross-sector partnerships and vehicles for action that advance adult literacy education as part of a broader vision for racial, social, and economic justice. The LJI sees educators as organizers, students as leaders, and classes and programs as catalysts for movement building. The initiative’s key goals are to:  
  1. Engage adult literacy programs and students in movements for racial, social, and economic justice emerging from their communities.
  2. Build solidarity with the wider social justice community to advance adult literacy education as part of a comprehensive equity agenda.
  3. Significantly expand educational opportunities for the 2.2 million adult New Yorkers in need of literacy justice, including advocating for new funding streams to support adult literacy programs that are explicitly focused on building community power.

The LAC also plays a lead role in the New York City Coalition for Adult Literacy (NYCCAL), an alliance of adult literacy teachers, managers, students, and allies from community-based organizations, City University of New York campuses, and public library programs across NYC. NYCCAL believes that being able to read and write, learn English, obtain a High School Equivalency diploma, and enter training and post-secondary education are the rights of every New Yorker.  LAC staff serve on the NYCCAL Steering Committee, Advocacy Committee, and Communications Committee.

The LAC is a full voting member of the National Coalition for Literacy (NCL), an alliance of the leading national and regional organizations dedicated to advancing adult education, family literacy, and English language acquisition in the United States. The LAC's Director of Workforce Development and Numeracy Services, Cynthia Bell, currently serves on the NCL's board.

​Advocacy Toolkit Webinar: Create Powerful Local & State Advocacy Campaigns

Ira Yankwitt is one of the featured speakers in a webinar hosted by ProLiteracy called "Advocacy Toolkit Webinar: Create Powerful Local & State Advocacy Campaigns."  Ira's presentation begins here: https://youtu.be/wR5rbLqlJyQ?t=2621

The webinar expands on ProLiteracy’s Advocacy Toolkit for Adult Education and Literacy: How to Increase Public and Private Support Using PIAAC Data which features case studies of successful advocacy campaigns from state associations, regional coalitions, and local programs.

LAC Advocacy Publications

Literacy & Justice: A Call for Transformative Action 
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  • Literacy & Justice: A Call for Transformative Action
  • Literacy & Justice: Our Call for Investment (1 pager)
  • Sign on to support expanding adult education in NYC!
  • More on the Literacy & Justice Initiative
Investing in Quality: A Blueprint for Adult Literacy Programs & Funders
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The Impact of COVID-19 on NYC Adult Literacy Programs & Students
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See more Policy and Advocacy Resources Here
Literacy Assistance Center | 85 Broad Street | 16th Floor | New York | NY 10004
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