Organization Description
The Center for Literacy is the nation's largest community-based nonprofit literacy provider, and the first in Pennsylvania. Its mission is to provide a range of literacy services, including reading, writing, math, life and work skills, to help a diverse population of learners meet their needs and achieve their personal and employment-related goals.
Since 1968, CFL has been providing literacy services to adults, youth, and families throughout the greater Philadelphia area, and is considered a leader in the field. CFL offers adult basic and literacy education, family literacy, out-of-school youth programs, workforce initiatives, GED programs, an adult diploma program, and other initiatives through its network of nearly 100 learning centers. More than 250 tutors and a dedicated staff of 40 teachers served more than 4400 students last year.
Coupled with a management team with a wealth of experience in the delivery of literacy services, nonprofit leadership, and organizational development, the Center continues to pioneer innovative programs in lifelong learning for adults, families and youth. Programs include:
- Community adult basic education (ABE), GED and English as a second language (ESL) classes taught by professional educators
- One-to-one and small group tutoring with professionally trained and supported volunteer tutors
- Family literacy programs enable parents and guardians of pre-school and elementary school-age children to develop their skills along with their children
- Workforce education, providing workers with job-related literacy, numeracy and English as a second language instruction
- Education for work, helping TANF recipients gain skills needed for the workforce
- An adult high school diploma program (ADP) that enables participants to become agents of their own learning
- Literacy assessment and coaching of in-school and out-of-school youth