Our Challenge

Meeting literacy needs one reader at a time.

The Challenge

ProLiteracy Worldwide estimates that 30 million adults in America are illiterate.  Another 63 million are "functionally illiterate", meaning they can read and possibly write simple words, but cannot apply these skills to such daily tasks as reading a medicine label, balancing a checkbook, or filling out a job application.

Together, these two numbers total 93 million out of a population of 330 million, or about 28%.  However, those gross numbers do not tell the deeper story of illiteracy.  That story is personal, costly, and often tragic.

Illiteracy and crime

According to the U.S. Department of Education, 85% of all juvenile offenders are functionally illiterate.  Sixty percent of prison inmates are illiterate.  Falling afoul of the law is the extreme scenario of illiteracy.  While ultimately costly to everyone, the demoralizing cost to the non-readers themselves is a more hidden tragedy.

The effect on one's income

An illiterate person earns about 42% less than a high school graduate.  Without at least a sixth- to eighth-grade reading proficiency, an individual cannot function in vocational training programs or other educational opportunities that could improve their earning potential.  The literacy rate for American workers is hurting productivity and profitability.  We are being out-competed globally and often by people who effectively use English to their advantage.

Families

Illiterate parents cannot read to their children, nor instill in them a love of learning.  Providing adults with literacy skills allows them to share that gift with their children.  With these new skills they can help a child with their homework, read notes sent home by teachers and administrators, navigate the world their children inhabit, and guide and encourage them.  The effects can be passed down through generations.  The National Institute of Health found that out of the 10-15% of children who drop out of school, more than 75% report reading difficulties.  School dropouts, teenage pregnancy, poor academic achievement and crime are all potential consequences of not learning how to read.

Our Solution: Free Literacy Tutoring

At Ulster Literacy Association, Inc., we offer one-to-one free tutoring in English reading, writing, and speaking skills to any adult who asks.  Since 1981, we have tutored more than 4,000 Ulster residents.  Currently, there are more than 150 tutor and student teams working throughout the county.