Literacy Volunteers of Schoharie and Montgomery Counties and Literacy Volunteers of Fulton County are merging into a new entity, Literacy New York – Fulton, Montgomery, and Schoharie Counties.
Merger discussions between the two non-profits began last fall, according to Lisa Cardilli, executive director of the new organization.
“All three counties are very similar in their economic situations and adult literacy rates,” said Ms. Cardilli, previously executive director of the Schoharie and Montgomery organization.
“It makes sense to have us all working together to help people in our communities.”
Literacy New York uses volunteer tutors to help adults improve their reading, writing, math, and English speaking skills.
Typically, literacy students are striving to get a job or improve their position or obtain a General Education Diploma.
The merger will allow Literacy New York to better serve students across a wider region by providing a greater pool of resources and tutors.
The recession also factored into the decision to merge, as state aid – the main source of revenue – is projected to be cut 32 percent from last year, Ms. Cardilli said.
The new affiliate will have a $140,000 budget.
“With money increasingly tight, this merger puts us in a better position to help students in all three counties,” said Jim Poole of Cobleskill, the president of the new board of directors.
Congressman Paul Tonko, another literacy supporter, agreed.
“Literacy volunteers change lives and build community through the work they do to help people achieve their goals,” he said.
“This merger will strengthen those efforts by focusing resources in a way that will allow the new agency to better serve their clients and the region.”
The Schoharie-Montgomery organization serves about 80 students per year, and Fulton has about 30.
Together, all three counties have 80 volunteer tutors, Ms. Cardilli said.
Those numbers should rise as the merger takes effect, said Assemblyman Pete Lopez.
“The importance of Literacy Volunteers’ mission to provide critical reading skills to underprivileged and distressed individuals in the region cannot be understated,” Assemblyman Lopez said.
“This merger should strengthen their ability to provide direct services to those in need.”
The headquarters will be at 107 Chapel Street, Suite 2, in Cobleskill, at the Schoharie – Montgomery Counties’ current location.
Offices are also located in Gloversville, at 73 N. Main St., Suite 101, and in Fonda, at 19-21 Broadway.
Literacy New York can be reached at 234-2576 or by email at lvascho@verizon.net.