The Community Library's
Family Literacy
Project, Inc.
An investment in literacy is
an investment in your
community's future.
What is Literacy?
The National Literacy Act defines literacy as: "an individual's ability to read, write and speak in English, compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job and in society, to achieve one's goals, and develop one's knowledge and potential."
What is the Community Library's Family Literacy Project?
The Family Literacy Project, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to support and encourage family literacy. We are dedicated to ensuring:
all children enter school with the early literacy experiences needed for learning to take place.
all parents experience the joy and value of reading, talking and playing with their children.
all new Americans gain the English language literacy skills that are vital to their becoming self-sufficient, productive members of our community.
In addition to our ongoing literacy based programs, the Community Library offers special grant funded programs. Unfortunately, the Library is unable to fund such programs on an ongoing basis. The Family Literacy Project was created to ensure the continuation of these nationally recognized, highly effective programs when grant funding ends.
Why Support Community Literacy?
When children enter school ready and able to learn, they are more likely to become good students, graduate from high school and go on to college. They also require less remediation and other special instruction, which is very costly.
Children of adults enrolled in literacy programs improve their grades and test scores, improve their reading skills, and are less likely to drop out.
43% of people with the lowest literacy skills live in poverty.
Almost 50% of adults on welfare do not have a high school diploma or GED.
85% of unwed mothers are functionally illiterate.
It is estimated that the national cost of illiteracy to business and the taxpayer is $20 billion per year.
How can I Support Community Literacy?
I will invest in the future of my community by contributing to the Community Library's Family Literacy Project.
Name_________________________________
Address________________________________
Town & State____________________________
Zip______________ Phone#________________
Student: _____$5 Individual: _____$10 Other: _____$25
Sponsor: _____$100 Benefactor: _____$500 _____Other
(No contribution is too large or too small.)
Please make your tax deductible donation to:
The Community Family Literacy Project, Inc.
Please mail your donation to:
Community Library's Family Literacy Project
407 William Floyd Parkway
Shirley, New York 11967-3492
The Family Literacy Project, Inc. will fund nationally recognized, proven programs such as:
Parent/Child Home Program - in existence for more than thirty years, this home-based early intervention literacy program targets 2 and 3 year olds from families who are at-risk because of one or more of the following factors: limited education, limited language or poverty. The program changes the environment in the home by empowering the parent to be the child's first and most important teacher. Parent/Child Home Program graduates score at or above the national average on standardized reading and math tests and more than 80% graduate from high school.
Reach Out and Read - teams pediatric health care professionals with librarians to "prescribe" reading and books for infants and toddlers. At well-child visits, a health care professional informs parents about the positive impact talking, singing and reading with young children has on early brain development and gives each child a book.
English as a Second Language Family Literacy Component - expands the existing ESL program to reach people who are currently on the waiting list, and enhances the current ESL program to include child and parent/child components.
Community Library's
Family Literacy Project, Inc.
Elizabeth Donovan, Executive Director
Steering Committee
Patricia Chieffo
Fred Kobasiuk
Kathy Kumiga
Eileen Maurer
Edward P. Romaine
Fred Thiele, Jr.
For more information
contact Elizabeth Donovan
631-399-1511, Ext. 215