STATEMENT OF NEED

There is a literacy crisis in Philadelphia. With over half the adult population—an estimated 550,000 individuals—considered low literate, meaning they would struggle to fill out a form such as a job or college application or follow written instructions and over 200,000 adults without a high school diploma, our city is demonstrably in need of literacy programs and services. It is the mission of the Center for Literacy (CFL) to do just that—to unleash the power of literacy to improve lives, transform families, and promote economic development. Low literacy affects our local economy in lost wage taxes, decreased earning potential and weak purchasing power, and leaves our community prone to high unemployment and crime rates and substantial reliance on public assistance programs. The more learners who achieve their literacy goals, the more self-sufficient they become, which translates into direct community and economic development benefits for the city. Research conducted by Henry Levin (Columbia) estimates that every adult that completes a GED or high school diploma contributes an additional $60,000 in tax revenue over their lifetime. Furthermore, high school graduates earn an estimated $260,000 more over their lives than high school drop-outs.

MISSION

To unleash the power of literacy to improve lives through a wide range of literacy services, including reading, writing, math, life, technology and work skills, to help a diverse population of learners meet their needs and achieve their personal and employment-related goals.

HISTORY

In response to the need in the West Philadelphia community for adult basic literacy instruction, CFL began as a volunteer tutoring program in 1968. The program quickly expanded to other areas of Philadelphia in need of adult tutoring. The demand for tutoring services soon exceeded the availability of volunteer tutors, and CFL began adding classroom instruction for adult basic education (ABE). GED preparation classes followed, and in a few short years CFL was offering neighborhood classes in donated space at public libraries, elementary schools, churches and community centers.

CFL is the nation’s largest and Pennsylvania’s first nonprofit community literacy provider. In 1994, CFL was the only Pennsylvania recipient and one of ten programs across the nation to receive the U.S. Secretary of Education's Award for Outstanding Adult Education and Literacy Programs. CFL continues to develop meaningful programs that respond to the specific needs of those we serve.

 
PROGRAMS

• Adult basic education (ABE)
• GED prep
• English as a second language (ESL)
• Family literacy
• Youth initiatives
• One-on-one and small group tutoring
• Workplace skills development
• Fee-for-service educational tools and resources

2010-2011 AT A GLANCE

• 2,822 individuals served
• Over 50 instructional sites
• 212 volunteer tutors
• 12,553 hours of instruction provided by volunteer tutors
• Moved into a new headquarters and learning center in May 2011, which features 4 classrooms and a 16-station computer lab