The sky's the limit for Literacy New Jersey! Keep going!! 

:: special announcement ::

For our final campaign day, May 22nd, we have a story from a dear friend of West Hudson Programs..

Last year, when I shared how much I love this organization, my beloved was quick to contribute. He passed in November, but I am committed to making a contribution in his memory. I wish it could be more.

Let's help her multiply this gift! She hopes we can turn her $250 commitment into $1250 before the day is over! 

A HUGE thank you to those who already donated! Your donations empower adult learners with opportunities for a better job, a high school diploma, citizenship, and more.

Invest in your trust that lifelong learning... 

• creates a healthy community for us all
• builds readers
• develops critical analysis
• supports integration in students' chosen communities
• creates pathways to professional goals

Literacy NJ students are your neighbors; like you, they are problem-solvers who are driven to grow, to achieve their goals, and to invest in themselves! When asked why they have chosen to commit time to our ESL, GED, Citizenship, Digital Literacy, and Basic Literacy programs, the most frequently shared answers are: I want to build confidence! I want to feel at home! I want a better job to support myself and my family! 

We need your help NOW to make sure that our students continue to have a place to go where these goals can be achieved in community -- not in the isolation of an app; but in a container of creativity, care, and collaboration supported by dedicated staff, trained volunteers, curated materials, and consistent check-ins that support progress.  

In the words of LeVar Burton - one of our favorite champions of Lifelong Learning - you don't have to take our word for it! 

• Cristina [The bookclub] helps me because we are talking out loud. This is the master key, because when we are in the class we speak, we think... but in the book club we read and we need to assimilate the words, we talk about the words, about our thoughts. 
   
• Airam [When I got my job, my tutor] Patti was really, really happy for me. She knew how much I wanted it and every time I said it she would say, "You will get a job. You will do it, don't worry about that". I knew her words were sincere.
   
• Veronica I can't wait for [class on] Mondays! My confidence with grammar, pronunciation, and listening in English has improved. In my job most people speak English, and now I feel more confident. 
   
• Mayra I read to my child in English. I was able to attend parent-teacher conferences and understand everything.
   
• Tetiana When I came to America, I did not know English at all. It was very difficult to find housing, work. Different people, a different mentality. Free English courses at the library really helped me quickly adapt to life in a new country.

Here's how you can help keep this precious cornerstone of our communities - filled with friends, growth, and lifelong learning - safe and strong:

• Donate: Contribute whatever you can. No amount is too small!
• Spread the Word: Share this fundraising page with your friends, family, and social networks. Let’s spread awareness so we can raise more!
• Advocate: Once you've given, send a letter of support to demand that the federal government keep funding for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Title II intact! 

Thank you for standing together with us in this effort. 

Words of gratitude are not enough...