Literacy Buffalo Niagara’s vision is to ensure that all people in Erie and Niagara counties are literate.

OUR STORY

Our History

1955

Laubach Literacy International is started by Dr. Frank Laubach in Syracuse, NY. His motto is “each one, teach one.”

1962

Literacy Volunteers of America is founded by Ruth J. Colvin in Syracuse, NY.

1965

The Buffalo chapter of Literacy Volunteers is formed.

2002

Laubach Literacy International and Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. merge to form ProLiteracy.

2012

Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo & Erie County, Inc. merges with Literacy Volunteers of Niagara County to become Literacy New York Buffalo-Niagara, Inc.

2020

LNYBN becomes Literacy Buffalo Niagara.

Our Mission & Vision

Our mission is to develop literacy skills by providing free tutoring in Erie and Niagara counties through engagement and training of diverse community volunteers.

Our vision is that all people in Erie and Niagara counties are literate.

Our Impact

2022-2023 Program Year Achievements
  • We recruited and trained 50 new volunteers
  • We served 160 adult students
  • Staff supported 130 active volunteer tutors
  • Volunteers provided over 5,000 hours of instruction and other volunteer services

On Racial Equity

Literacy Buffalo Niagara supports the advancement of civil rights and the struggle for racial and social equity. We stand in solidarity with all people of color and are committed to combating racism in all its forms.

Literacy is strongly impacted by socioeconomic factors such as income, educational opportunities in one’s formative years, single-parent household status and non-literate parents and guardians, making literacy a generational battle for many.

Literacy Buffalo Niagara students are extremely diverse including black, brown and refugee communities, and we are devoted to helping them gain the literacy skills they need to fully succeed. At Literacy Buffalo Niagara we recognize that “change starts with a word.”

Learn more about our organization and how you can do your part for literacy.

Low literacy makes it difficult to identify specific written information, like school rules, prescription medication inserts, and job descriptions

Overall, only 46% of Erie & Niagara County adults are proficient in literacy

People with low literacy often struggle to compare information from two different sources, such as the labels on different frozen meals

Literacy is affected by socioeconomic factors that can extend as far back as childhood, such as having non-literate guardians

People with low literacy can fill out personal forms, but struggle with more complex legal or medical forms and job applications

People with low literacy can fill out personal forms, but struggle with more complex legal or medical forms and job applications

Literacy is affected by socioeconomic factors that can extend as far back as childhood, such as having non-literate guardians

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