Who We Are

Literacy Connections is a private, not-for-profit, 501(c) (3) organization committed to helping adults and families become functionally literate. The organization works with the lowest literacy level adults in Dutchess, Columbia, Greene and Orange Counties.

Our core program is to help adults to learn to read and write, and function independently. We recruit and train volunteers to provide one-to-one and small group tutoring that is student-centered.

Student-centered means not following a pre-determined curriculum and giving a voice to the student regarding their learning goals. Teaching adults is not the same as teaching children. Materials must be sensitive and respectful of adult learners, and because adults face so many challenges in their daily lives, the learning must be relevant and meaningful.

Recognizing that illiteracy is a family issue, our Adult & Family Literacy Program also offers reading enrichment to children who are struggling with reading in the 2nd-4th grades – the crucial time when children are transitioning from learning to read to reading to learn.

The agency is administered by a small staff and a large volunteer base. We welcome volunteers to become tutors, to read to children, to help in the office, to assist with our Annual Community Spelling Bee or holiday gift wrapping at local bookstores, and a variety of other projects all designed to help people to read, write, and reach their potential.

Literacy Connections is supported by private and public funding and gratefully accepts donations. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.