LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Literacy Volunteers of America upon
the occasion of its 50th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that organizations
whose focus and intent have made a substantial impact on the quality of
life of citizens and communities throughout New York State merit the
highest commendation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Literacy Volunteers of America (LVGS) upon the occasion of its 50th
Anniversary, to be celebrated on June 20, 2012; and
WHEREAS, In 1962, Onondaga County resident Ruth J. Colvin read an
article in the POST STANDARD which indicated there were 11,050 func-
tionally illiterate adults in the County; wondering to herself, "If I
don't do something, who will?," she developed her own tutoring method
and began helping adults learn to read, write and speak English in her
home; and
WHEREAS, Soon friends and fellow churchwomen began to follow her lead;
Literacy Volunteers, as it was then known, became Literacy Volunteers of
Greater Syracuse in 1967, when Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. (now
ProLiteracy) was also founded; and
WHEREAS, Literacy Volunteers of America teaches people how to read,
write, and speak English; and
WHEREAS, It does so by training lay people to tutor using one-on-one
or small group instruction; having a collaborative tutoring model which
is student-centered; providing literacy services in the workplace; and
serving primarily adults aged sixteen and older functioning at or below
the 6th grade level; and
WHEREAS, Since its establishment, Literacy Volunteers of America has
helped thousands of adults improve their lives, and the life of the
community, through literacy; and
WHEREAS, Literacy Volunteers of America envisions, and works toward
achieving, communities where every adult who wants to learn to read,
write, and speak English has access to a fully integrated education
system; and
WHEREAS, Through partnership and collaboration with other organiza-
tions, Literacy Volunteers of America offers a broad range of instruc-
tional and volunteer opportunities which advance the basic literacy
skills of adults in Central New York; and
WHEREAS, Literacy Volunteers of America serves adults who read at or
below a 6th grade reading level, targeting adults who read at the lowest
literacy levels, known as National Reporting System Levels 1 and 2; and
WHEREAS, Literacy Volunteers of America manages a certified tutor
training program for volunteers interested in becoming tutors; workshops
prepare tutors in adult basic education and English language instruction
after which it matches adult learners with professionally trained,
volunteer tutors who assist them to become literate and obtain the know-
ledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency; and
WHEREAS, Tutors and students meet, in mutually convenient public plac-
es such as libraries and coffee shops, for a minimum of two instruc-
tional hours per week; together they determine what goals to work on,
always keeping in mind that the intent of Literacy Volunteers of America
is to provide instruction which is learner-centered; and
WHEREAS, Through grant funding, Literacy Volunteers of America also
offers small group instruction in various locations in the communities
it serves; these small group classes are led by certified instructors
and are supplemented by volunteer tutors in either a "push-in" or "pull

out" model, depending on the needs of the individuals in the classes;
and
WHEREAS, From its modest beginning in Syracuse, New York, Literacy
Volunteers of America has evolved into a national, nonprofit, communi-
ty-based volunteer organization dedicated to identifying, assessing, and
meeting the literacy needs of adults through affiliates across the coun-
try and is to be commended for its efforts; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor and commend Literacy Volunteers of America upon the occasion of
the celebration of its 50th Anniversary, to be celebrated on June 20,
2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Literacy Volunteers of America.