Literacy New Jersey is an American nonprofit organization founded in 1979[2] based in Roselle, New Jersey, which coordinates a network of volunteers to promote literacy in the Garden State.[3] It provides free language services to persons who are illiterate or who have difficulty reading, writing, and speaking English. It runs courses for GED test preparation,[4] citizenship instruction, English as a second or foreign language,[5][1] basic literary skills, computer and conversation classes for Adult Basic Education or ABE,[1] one-on-one tutoring[1] as well as the tutoring of small and large groups.[1] In addition, it assists persons with learning disabilities and persons with limited educational opportunities.[6] Low literate adults are persons learning English for the first time, or persons who have spoken English throughout their lives but who have difficulty reading or writing or speaking the language. According to a national report, 17 percent of the residents of New Jersey are "low-literate or functionally illiterate".[6] Instruction is confidential in the sense that the organization does not reveal names of students to the public.[1] Many of the students are immigrants from other countries. During the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers have been teaching students via Zoom and phone.
| Formation | 1 January 1979 |
|---|---|
| Type | 501(c)(3)[1] |
| Legal status | Nonprofit organization |
| Purpose | Promote literacy |
| Headquarters | 224 Main St. Metuchen, NJ 08840 Roselle (business office) |
| Location |
|
Region | New Jersey |
| Services | literacy instruction |
Official language | English |
CEO | Elizabeth Gloeggler |
| Volunteers | 2,500 |
| Website | literacynj |
It is our job to make sure that adults in New Jersey know how to read, write and speak English.
— CEO Elizabeth Gloeggler, 2014[6]
The nonprofit taught 8,000 students in 2013[6][2][7]< and coordinates 2,500 volunteers working with 18 local affiliates.[2] Students range in age from 18 to the late 70s.[6] Typically, teacher-volunteers meet with students in public locations, such as public libraries, for several hours each week.[8]
While the official headquarters is in Metuchen,[6] the administration's main office is in Roselle,[7] and the organization has locations throughout the state in the counties of Burlington, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Ocean and Union.[6] With affiliates, it is able to offer instruction throughout the state.
In 2014, eight literacy nonprofits, including Literacy Volunteers of Mercer County, were consolidated into one organization entitled Literacy New Jersey.[6][7] The reason for the merger, according to chief executive officer Elizabeth Gloeggler, was to make the support program more "cohesive, effective, and efficient,"[6] and to consolidate administrative tasks so local managers can focus on teaching rather than administrative tasks.[7] The organization has partnered with Literacy Volunteers of New Jersey and with business executives such as Roseann Lentin of Turn the Page Publishing[9] as well as Goldman Sachs.[2] It raises donations from the public as well as through gala-style fundraisers. It promotes donations and encourages volunteers and students with Readathon programs.[1]
Literacy New Jersey trains volunteers to become tutors with a 15-hour training program.[10] Tutors do not have to have a special background but must be 18 years or older, have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and take the training course which meets for three hours for five times during a five-week period.[11] A liaison committee brings more experienced tutors and new volunteers together to share teaching strategies.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Martin Griff (September 5, 2014). "Photos and video: Adult literacy highlighted at Princeton Public Library Readathon". Times of Trenton. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
...A Readathon for Adult Literacy held at the Princeton Public Library ... sponsored by Literacy New Jersey/Mercer County ...
- ^ a b c d Wilson Conde (June 13, 2014). "Goldman Sachs volunteers help out Jersey City literacy program". The Jersey Journal. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
...GED tutoring, ESL and citizenship classes for immigrants, and other adult education services to about 8,000 people every year...
- ^ "Project Self-Sufficiency in Newton hosts Back-to-School Fair". Warren Reporter. August 22, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
...Participating social service organizations included ...Literacy New Jersey; ...
- ^ "Free GED Test Prep classes offered in Cranford and Elizabeth". Suburban News. March 18, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
...Literacy New Jersey is once again offering free GED Test Prep Classes... the high school equivalency exam and earn a GED Certificate....
- ^ "English and citizenship classes offered at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Summit". Independent Press. August 12, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
... Literacy New Jersey, ...
- ^ a b c d e f g h i THOMAS CASTLES (2014-07-03). "Seven nonprofits merge to form Literacy New Jersey". Sentinel (Edison/Metuchen). Retrieved October 7, 2014.
...Seven literacy nonprofits across the state have joined forces to form Literacy New Jersey ... serves the 17 percent of New Jersey residents who are low-literate or functionally illiterate...
- ^ a b c d Mike Davis (June 30, 2014). "Statewide merger of literacy groups aims to increase access to reading, educational programs". Times of Trenton. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
...eight local and statewide nonprofit groups ... have merged into Literacy New Jersey, one organization that will offer programs for illiterate and non-English speaking adults throughout the state....
- ^ "Register to become a literacy volunteer; classes to take place in Roselle". Suburban News. August 4, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
...Volunteer tutors meet with student(s) in a public location, usually a Union County Public Library, for one to two hours each week. ...
- ^ Martin Griff (September 4, 2014). "Adult literacy highlighted at Princeton Library readathon". Times of Trenton. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
...Roseann Lentin, president of Turn the Page Publishing and Literacy New Jersey volunteer Virginia Knapp at the Princeton Public Library's readathon ...
- ^ a b "Become a Literacy New Jersey volunteer; classes to be held in Roselle". Suburban News. March 12, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
Literacy New Jersey, dedicated to providing free, student-centered tutoring services to adults ....
- ^ Kelly Johnson (September 18, 2014). "Literacy New Jersey in Hamilton seeking tutors". Times of Trenton. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
...Literacy New Jersey is looking for volunteers...