Though last week’s budget deal spared a number of people and programs from cuts, adults who rely on literacy programs that teach them how to read and write are now about to lose vital financial support from the city.
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In 2009, over half of the country’s elderly population were concentrated in just 11 states. (City Hall News)
United Community Centers
Brooklyn
United Community Centers (UCC) was founded by residents of local housing projects to organize East New York neighbors to struggle for a better community and higher quality of life. The settlement offers service programs and advocacy campaigns.
Adult Literacy and Immigrant Services
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For more information about UNH's policy positions on literacy or workforce development, please contact Annetta Seecharran, Director of Policy and Advocacy.Give immigrants and other adults the opportunity to participate in the economy of the City by learning English and other skills that will help them to succeed in the workforce.
The shrinking job market has put a premium on those with good literacy skills, particularly for immigrants who wish to increase their employment prospects by improving their reading and writing.
UNH works to support comprehensive and accessible quality educational services for immigrants and other adults who need them. These services, provided to over 14,000 immigrants by settlement houses, include: classes in civics, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and citizenship; and legal assistance, resume and interview assistance, job placement and training.
UNH provides advocacy, research and analysis on behalf of settlement houses as well as resources to UNH member agencies for program innovation and enhancement.
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What are the advantages of providing adult literacy and immigrant services at settlement houses?
- Child Care is scheduled to coordinate with activities like ESOL to give caregiver parents and grandparents the opportunity to learn English while their children are cared for (and probably served a tasty healthy breakfast!).
- Teens involved in after school "homework help" at a settlement house are sent home with flyers to encourage their parents to attend ESOL. And teens are great cheer leaders for settlement house programs - and also good at getting parents to listen!
- All members of a family can be helped, not just the individual student enrolled in a particular class or program.
Issues and Programs
New York Coalition for Adult Literacy
Adult literacy levels in New York City rank consistently below the national average, primarily because of the large number of foreign-born residents (47 percent) who speak a language other than English in their homes. Despite the estimated 1.5 million adults in New York City who need literacy-building services, government-funded English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and adult literacy programs can only serve 62,000 individuals at any given time. Learn more »Other Related Workforce Prep Activities
Member Spotlight
Meet Yoke Kuan. She is an immigrant from Malaysia who uses Educational Alliance's child care program so her children can learn and socialize while she works part-time and learns English. Read more
Latest News
NY1: Budget Cuts To Hit Adult Literacy Program
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Gotham Gazette: Budget Cuts Reduce English Classes for Immigrants
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Being a beautician is all Jong Ae Shul knew. She ran a beauty salon in Flushing for 25 years, serving mostly Korean-speaking customers six or seven days a week. She didn't need to speak English, and she had no time to learn it."I wanted to learn English so I can go to other places by myself," said Shul. "I was scared. I couldn't even take the subway because I didn't speak English."
Retired four years ago, she is making up for lost time.Shul now studies English at the Queens Library's Flushing branch. And she loves it. She goes there for about three hours three or four times a week to attend classes, reads the textbooks, listen to CDs and get help from the tutors.
Read more articles about Adult Literacy and Immigrant Services »
Policy Positions
UNH Supports Adult Literacy and Immigrant Services (31 KB) 08-Jun-2009
FY 2011 City Budget and Policy Priorities for Adult Literacy and Immigrant Services (59 KB) 01-May-2009
Press Release Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez supports literacy and immigrant services (36 KB) 29-Apr-2009
Testimony on Immigrants’ Contributions to the Economy (86 KB) 10-Apr-2008
UNH Testimony on Adult Literacy Programs in New York City (56 KB) 29-May-2007
UNH Testimony on the Demand for ESOL Programs Among Immigrant Adults in NYC (48 KB) 04-May-2007
UNH Testimony on New York City’s Interest in the Immigration Reform Debate (38 KB) 13-Apr-2007
Testimony on the State of Immigrant Services in New York City (28 KB) 15-May-2006
UNH Testimony on the State of Immigrant Services in New York City (30 KB) 31-Jan-2005
