Literacy funding in jeopardy

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – Programs that teach illiterate adults to read are in jeopardy statewide. Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo and Erie County is calling on the State Legislature to prevent the Governor's proposed 38% funding cut to its agency.

Literacy Volunteers says the funding cut would be devastating to programs that assist those who can't read to become employable.

Literacy Volunteers Executive director Christopher Gibas. He says his organization has already conducted its own belt tightening by cutting 16% from its spending. Gibas realizes the state is out of cash. He expected a funding cut, but not as high as what is being proposed.

Literacy Volunteers recently moved its headquarters to the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, lowering its leasing costs. Central Library director Bridget Quinn-Carey says they are will to work together proving they are using their state funds wisely.

One and five people can not read in New York. Kevin Smith is executive director of Literacy New York. He's also facing funding cuts.

Smith says in comparison to other agency funding, the Literacy program is small, with total state funding at 6.5 million. But now it could stand to lose more than two million dollars, effecting literacy programs across the State.

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