Fast Facts

Literacy is...

the ability to read, write, and speak English proficiently, to compute and solve problems, and to use technology in order to become a lifelong learner and to be effective in the family, in the workplace, and in the community.

Did you know?

• The United States is ranked 49th among 150 nations in its literacy rates. More than 20% of adults ages 16 and older read at or below a 5th grade level.
• More than 2,000,000 people in New York State have reading problems.
• More than 3,000,000 New York State residents speak languages other than English.
• In Albany and Schenectady counties, 1 out of 5 adults cannot read a map, complete a job application, or understand the instructions on a bottle of medication. Non-native English speakers are further impaired by the inability to communicate verbally. These people cannot call for help in an emergency, find suitable employment, or communicate with the children's teachers and doctors.
• Literacy Volunteers of America -Mohawk/Hudson trains volunteers to tutor individuals in Basic Literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages. Trained tutors help people develop the literacy skills they need to meet their goals and to become full participants in their communities.

Impact of Limited Literacy and Language Skills on...

Few jobs are available for the non-reader. Increased technology requires more proficient readers and writers. Low literacy skills are responsible for people not completing work training programs and for losing their jobs. American businesses lose an estimated $60 billion in productivity annually as a result of low literacy.

Literacy Volunteers speaks to at-risk parents groups to encourage reading in the home and using the library to help their children develop an interest in reading. Children who have been read to at home are more successful in school. Those without a reading background experience difficulty in school, thus increasing the risk of dropping out, unemployment, and perpetuating the cycle of illiteracy. Children of parents with low literacy and education levels, and who are unemployed, are 5 times more likely to drop out of school.

Adults with low literacy skills have higher health care costs and are hospitalized more frequently. These adults also experience difficult in understanding medical and health-related materials and are less likely to exercise preventative health practices. Lack of health literacy skills contributes to an estimated $15 billion annual cost in health care.

Fast Facts about Literacy Volunteers-Mohawk/Hudson

Literacy Volunteers has served the Capital Region since 1967. Literacy Volunteers-Mohawk/Hudson is one of more than 1,200 affiliates of ProLiteracy America.

Each year, local volunteers donate more than 29,000 hours tutoring and providing support services to more than 500 students.

Financial support is provided by individuals, businesses, foundations, fundraising events, state and federal grants, and the United Way of Schenectady.

To expand our services to the community, Literacy Volunteers needs your help as a volunteer tutor or in our offices. Additionally, financial support from individuals and businesses enables us to reach more people with literacy and English language programs.

To volunteer or support our services, please call Literacy Volunteers - Mohawk/Hudson at (518) 452-3382.