Mark Your Calendars Now!
For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact
Buckley Hall Events at 914.579.1000 or email literacypartners@buckleyhallevents.com.
For information on Literacy Partners, please contact
Robyn Furman at 646.237.0102 or email gabrielap@literacypartners.org.
We’ve Moved: Literacy Partners’ New Location
We are excited to announce that our office has moved to a new location in Downtown Manhattan.
Our new address is:
75 Maiden Lane, Suite 1102
New York, NY 10038
We look forward to continuing to provide free adult literacy classes that enable our students to reach their full potential as individuals and parents.
Reading Changes Everything
Check out an update on our progress in breaking the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by empowering parents through education.
Free English Classes for Parents
Literacy Partners offers FREE classes for adults seeking to gain important literacy skills. Our classes aim to promote two-generational outcomes by focusing on parents of young children.
In Memoriam: The Passing of Arnold Scaasi
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of our renowned board member, Arnold Scaasi, who passed away on Tuesday, August 4th in New York City. He was 85.
Scaasi was a Canadian fashion designer known for his elaborate and lively designs. Over his 50-year career, he adorned generations of First Ladies, starlets and socialites that included Joan Crawford, Mary Tyler Moore, Lauren Bacall, Brooke Astor, Elizabeth Taylor and Barbra Streisand; for whom he designed the famous jumpsuit she wore when she accepted the 1969 Oscar for Funny Girl.
As many of our friends know, Arnold was also an iconic leader of the literacy world. He served on our Board of Directors for 23 years and co-hosted the Evening of Readings and Gala Dinner Dance with his partner of more than 50 years, Parker Ladd, and dear friend, Liz Smith.
He called the rich and famous to ask for their support on behalf of our students. His commitment to the cause enabled tens of thousands of New Yorkers to learn to read as adults, attain High School Equivalency diplomas and gain access to college, higher-level jobs and the world at large.
Arnold Scaasi was a man of big ideas with a big personality. He had a huge impact on the world of fashion and changed so many lives for the better through his work in literacy.
We will miss him enormously.
New Developments: Literacy Partners Expands to Staten Island
Literacy Partners received funding from the Department of Youth and Community Development to expand our programming to Staten Island. We are excited to partner with the Staten Island Mental Health Society to provide HSE and Pre-HSE classes to parents who work or live on the North Shore of Staten Island and seek High School Equivalency diplomas.
Our students are parents of young children enrolled in Head Start and have all been identified and living below the poverty level. A High School Equivalency diploma would allow them to attend college and get higher paying, higher-level jobs.
Literacy Partners Receives Gift from the Romance Writers of America
The Romance Writers of America (RWA) raised more than $48,000 for adult literacy at their Annual Conference held July 22–25, 2015 at the New York Marriott Marquis.
A portion of the proceeds from the book sales at the “Readers for Life” author signing will benefit Literacy Partners. RWA has raised approximately $1 million for adult literacy at the annual conference over the years.
We would like to thank the Romance Writers of America and our friends at ProLiteracy who made this gift possible.
Reading Changes Everything
Click here for an update on our progress breaking the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by empowering parents through education.
Reading Changes Everything
Click here for an update on our progress breaking the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by empowering parents through education.
LP Students Celebrate their Accomplishments
Literacy Partners hosted yet another successful graduation ceremony for our students who received their high school equivalency in 2014. The evening was full of laughter, inspiring words, and huge smiles from our graduates, their families, and all the volunteers and staff members who have supported them in their journey to educational success!
Read more ->
LP Board Member Samantha Yanks: Inspired Mom of the Month
As the Hamptons Magazine editor-in-chief, Samantha Yanks has been passionate about literacy for years. But having her daughter deepened the importance she puts on reading and ignited her dedication for literacy as a cause. Yanks sits down with Stroller Traffic to speak about her family, her daughter, and why literacy is important.
Read more ->
LP Board Member Peter Brown Shares His Take on the Beatles Taking on America
Literacy Partners does have a history with the Beatles. But, it really isn’t much of a secret. Our board member, Peter Brown, was the manager of the Beatles. He recently wrote a fascinating cover story for Newsweek about the Beatles landing in America 50 years ago last Friday. A lot has changed in 50 years, yet the music endures.
Read more ->
Niche Media’s Samantha Yanks joins the LP Board
Literacy Partners has expanded its Board of Directors with the appointment of publishing guru, Samantha Yanks, Niche Media’s Editor in Chief at Hamptons Magazine and Editor at Large at Gotham Magazine.
Read more ->
Inspirational Literary Events Enhance Student Learning
Literacy Partners believes that connecting students to inspirational literary experiences and impactful community involvement will enhance their learning. Several of our students rose to the challenge of public speaking at two of New York City’s (NYC) most high profile literary events this past summer – the Harlem Book Fair and the NYC Poetry Festival.
Read more ->
Motivated Student Takes the Stage at NYC Poetry Festival
Literacy Partners student, Darin Ricks, who is studying to get his GED while also undergoing rehabilitation for a serious head injury, read at the NYC Poetry Festival on July 27. The poem he read was a winner at this year’s LP Oberia Dempsey Poetry Contest!
Read more -> (scroll down to the 2nd page of paper)
Literacy Partners Shines Spotlight on Adult Literacy Community at Harlem Book Fair
As a partner of the fifteenth annual Harlem Book Fair, Literacy Partners helped bring recognition to the local adult literacy community. We honored the District’s City Council Member, Inez E. Dickens, for her work supporting adult learners and put Harlem-born student, Jackson Volmar, center stage to read his poetry.
Read more ->
Literacy Partners Welcomes Robin Domeniconi to its Board
Media innovator and brand builder, Robin Domeniconi, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Literacy Partners, lending a new set of expertise to our mission to eradicate illiteracy in NYC. Read more ->
Legacy of Dedicated Volunteer Tutor Celebrated with Fund Benefit
Literacy Partners and Carmel Berman Reingold honored the memory of book-loving New Yorker and passionate LP tutor, Harry Reingold, at an evening benefit in NYC on June 20. A Legislative Resolution honoring Mr. Reingold was adopted by the NY Senate on June 18, 2013 and read aloud during the evening’s celebration. You can read the resolution online, here.
Read more ->
Student Cultural Celebration Showcases Success
LP students, families, teachers, volunteers, and staff came together for the annual Student Cultural Celebration on June 19. A wonderful time was had by all as the students showcased their talents and accomplishments and LP hosted its first ever GED Graduation Ceremony!
See pictures from the celebration ->
Student Intake Volunteer Earns Everyday Hero Award
In recognition of her outstanding work, dedicated Literacy Partners volunteer, Marie Angelico, 81, has been named an Everyday Hero by the Community Service Society of New York.
Read more ->
LP Student Pursues GED and College Dream at Age 63
Inspirational Literacy Partners student, Yvonne Hoyt, aged 63, has battled illness to achieve her GED and pursue her career goals. She was this year’s reader at our 2013 Annual Evening of Readings, moving the entire audience with her story and highlighting the importance of adult literacy programs.
Read more ->
LP Teacher honored at the LAC Literacy Recognition Awards
Victor Edrosolan, a Literacy Partners ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Instructor, has won a top accolade for his outstanding work teaching adult literacy in NYC for over 30 years.
Read more ->