Literacy Zones are a reform initiative developed by the New York State Board of Regents and the State Education Department to close the achievement gap in urban and rural communities of concentrated poverty and high concentrations of families and individuals with limited literacy or English language proficiency. Literacy Zones are intended to provide a systemic focus on meeting the literacy needs of communities, from birth through adult. New York State Education Department has identified 18 Literacy Zones across the State. Each Literacy Zone and their satellite sites can provide pathways out of poverty for individuals and families, in the following areas:
- A continuum of literacy services from early childhood through adult, including strong support for parent involvement in their child’s literacy development at home and engagement with the school system.
- Assistance and support for at-risk youth to enable them to complete high school and succeed in postsecondary education or advanced training;
- Postsecondary transition that enable out-of-school youth and adults to attain a high school equivalency diploma and succeed in postsecondary education
- Programs that enable out-of-school youth and adults who are receiving public assistance, food stamps, or families with family incomes less than 200% of poverty to obtain and retain employment
- Incarcerated transition for youth and adults returning to the community from incarceration
- Pathways to citizenship and English language proficiency for limited English language adults
- Workforce development programs, including apprenticeship, career and technical education, and career pathways
- Support for mature workers and senior citizens to enable them to stay out of poverty
- Support for individuals with disabilities and their families
- Transition support for returning veterans and their veterans, including disabled veterans
Pathways out of poverty are tailored to meet the needs of individuals and families in the Literacy Zone community.
Please contact or visit one of our sites to determine what services are available in your community:
Literacy Zones |
Location |
Contact Information |
Buffalo City School District (East-26) 408 City Hall Buffalo, NY 14202 |
Buffalo |
Mr. Les Leopold (716)-888-7088 ext. 119. |
Clinton/Essex/Warren/Washington BOCES 1585 Military Turnpike Plattsburgh, NY 12901 |
Plattsburgh Western end (Wards 1&2 ) |
Ms. Cathy Snow (518)-561-0430 ext. 3079 |
Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES 23 Huskie Lane PO Box 28 Malone, NY 12953 |
Malone |
Mr. Joe Campbell (518)481-5755 ex3008 |
Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES Riverfront Center 2610 Riverfront Ctr Amsterdam, NY 12010 |
Amsterdam |
Ms. Laurie Bargstedt (518)-736-4340 |
Herkimer BOCES Welcome Center 215 South Main Street Herkimer, NY 13350 |
Herkimer |
Ms. Mary K. Kline (315)-867-2079 |
Literacy West NY, Inc. 5455 State Route 19 North Belmont, NY 14813 |
Belmont |
Ms. Lisa A. Lee (585)-268-5213 |
Madison-Oneida BOCES Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) 409 Columbia St, Utica, NY 13503 |
West Utica |
Ms. Kathleen Rinaldo (315)-738-7300 |
Madison-Oneida BOCES Kernan Elementary School 929 York St, Utica, NY 13502 |
East Utica |
Ms. Kathleen Rinaldo (315)-738-7300 |
Orleans/Niagara BOCES Trott Access Center 1001 11th St Niagara Falls, NY 14301 |
Niagara Falls |
Ms. Susan Diemert 1-800-836-7510 Ext. 3003 |
Ossining Union Free School District 190 Croton Ave Ossining, NY 10562 |
Ossining |
Dr. Angela White (914) 941-7700 |
Queens Borough Public Library 89-11 Merrick Boulevard Jamaica, NY 11432 |
NYC (Jamaica: Long Island City) |
Ms. Maureen O'Connor (718) 990-8551 Ms. Susan Dalmas - Manager, Adult Literacy Programs 718-480-4233 |
Rochester City School District 131 West Broad Street Rochester, NY 14614 |
Rochester |
Mr. Paul Burke (585)262-8072 |
Sullivan County Boces St John Street Educational Center 22 St John street Monticello , NY 12701 |
Monticello |
Ms. Pamela Rourke (845)791-4070 |
Syracuse City School District (North) Grant Middle School 2400 Grant Boulevard, Syracuse, NY 13208 |
Syracuse North |
Ms. Kathy Lent (315) 435-4135/ 4114 Ms. Gail Tauber (315) 435-4114 315-435-6376 |
Syracuse City School District (West) Golden Gloves Athletic & Education Center 307 S. Geddes St, Syracuse NY 13204 |
Syracuse West |
Ms. Kathy Lent (315) 435-5840 315-214-4248 |
Turning Point Discipleship Outreach Ministries, Inc 5220 Fourth Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11220 |
NYC (Brooklyn: Sunset Park) |
Mr. Bruce Carmel (718)-360-8166 |
Yonkers City School District - Vive School 75 Riverdale Avenue Yonkers , NY 10705 |
Yonkers Vive School |
Dr. Joan O’Gorman (914) 376-8600 |
Yonkers Public Schools - Fermi School 27 Poplar Street Yonkers, NY 10701 |
Yonkers Fermi School |
Dr. Joan O’Gorman (914) 376-8600 |
2010 Literacy Zone Summit Announcement
