NYCCAL Mission Statement

The New York City Coalition for Adult Literacy (NYCCAL) is comprised of adult literacy teachers, managers, students, and allies from community -based organizations, CUNY campuses, and library programs across NYC.  

NYCCAL advocates for an adult literacy system that provides quality, comprehensive and accessible educational services to the over 2.2 million adults (aged 18-64) in NYC who need them. NYCCAL believes that being able to read and write, learn English, obtain a High School Equivalency, and enter training and post secondary education are the rights of every New Yorker, and the cornerstone to an equitable and just society.

Definition of Membership

NYCCAL membership is open to individuals and organizations that provide or advocate for adult literacy services in New York City.  These include, for example: community-based organizations (CBOs), the City University of New York (CUNY), union education entities, public libraries and others providers offering free or low-cost classes. 

Membership is not open to: elected officials (or their staff), vendors, funders (organizations with funding as a major role), and individuals/agencies engaged in oversight, monitoring, or evaluation with funding implications for adult literacy programs.

Updated March 6, 2014

NYCCAL History

Many coalitions of adult literacy providers have existed in New York City, NYCCAL is the most recent.  NYCCAL was formed to fight the federal budget cuts in 2005.  At that time the Coalition was made up mostly of Adult Literacy workers at various CUNY sites and some community based organizations.  The work culminated in a rally at Union Square on April 22, 2005.

Read about the rally in the WSJ and the NYTimes
and here.

UNESCO Report 2005:  The adult literacy education system in the United States

The cuts were avoided and the Coalition grew with the addition of the Department of Education and members from the three library systems in the city.

Member Organizations


Academy of Medical & Public Health Services
Agudath Israel of America
Ansob Center
Arab American Association of NY
Arab American Family Support Center
Borough of Manhattan Community College
Bronx Community College
Brooklyn Public Library
Catholic Charities International Center
Center for the Integration and Advancement of New Americans (CIANA)
Chinatown Manpower Project
Chinese-American Planning Council
City College of New York
College of Staten Island
Council of Jewish Organizations of Flatbush
Council of Peoples Organizations
Consortium for Workers Education 
Cypress Hills Local Development Corp
The Doe Fund
English Speaking Union Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center (ARNIC)
Edith & Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst 
Fifth Avenue Committee
HANAC
Jacob A Riis Neighborhood Settlement
Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island
Jewish Community Center of Staten Island
Kingsborough Community College
Kingsbridge Heights Community Center
Korean Community Services of Metro. NY
LaGuardia Community College, Adult Community Learning
Lehman Community College Adult Learning Center
Literacy Assistance Center
Literacy Partners
Make the Road New York
Mercy Center
Mosholu Montefiore Community Center
New York city College of Technology 
New York City Employment and Training Coalition
New York Immigration Coalition
Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation
NYC College of Technology Adult Learning Center
NYC Consortium for Adult Basic Education
Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow
Queens Borough Public Library
Queensborough Community College
Queens Community House
Riverside Language Program
Shorefront YM-YWHA
St. Nicks Alliance
Sunnyside Community Services
Union Settlement Association, Inc.
UJA - Federation of New York
United Neighborhood Houses
University Settlement Adult Literacy Program
York College
YMCA of Greater NY
YWCA of Brooklyn

updated 5.8.24