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


Agudath Israel of America
​Ansob Center
Arab American Association of New York
Arab American Family Support Center
Borough of Manhattan Community College
Bronx Works
Brooklyn Public Library
Catholic Charities
Chinatown Manpower Project
Chinese-American Planning Council
Coalition for Asian American Children and Families
Community Service Society
Cypress Hills Local Development Corp
​CWE
The Doe Fund
Edith & Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst
English Speaking Union Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center (ARNIC)
Fifth Avenue Committee
Fortune Society
HANAC
Institute for Immigrant Concerns, Inc.
International Center of CCCS
Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement House
Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island
Jewish Community Center of Staten Island
Kingsbridge Heights Community Center
Korean Community Services of Metro. NY, Inc.
LaGuardia Community College, Adult Community Learning
Lehman College Adult Learning Center
Literacy Assistance Center
Literacy Partners
Lutheran Family Health Centers Adult and Family Education
Make the Road New York
​Mosholu Montefiore Community Center
Neighborhood Family Services Coalition
NYC Consortium for Adult Basic Ed., Inc
New York Immigration Coalition
Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation
NYC College of Technology Adult Learning Center
New York City Employment & Training Coalition
Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow
Phipps Community Development Corporation
Queens Community House
Riverside Language Program
Shorefront YM-YWHA
Sunnyside Community Services
UAW Region 9A Education Fund
Union Settlement Association, Inc.
UJA-Federation of New York
United Neighborhood Houses
University Settlement Adult Literacy Program
YMCA of Greater NY

updated 6.22.22