named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Citywide Dyslexia Screening Initiative
Advocacy and implementation support for universal dyslexia screening in all NYC public schools, with targeted follow-up instruction.
Literacy Academy Pilot Program
Parent-led initiative to create specialized public schools for students with dyslexia and reading challenges, launched in collaboration with the NYC Department of Education.
South Bronx Literacy Academy
Public school serving second- and third-grade students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities; first district school in NYC explicitly dedicated to students with dyslexia.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Structured Literacy Instruction and Dyslexia Support 4 activities
- Deliver structured, evidence-based literacy instruction in public schools and classroomsProvides explicit, direct, and culturally responsive structured literacy instruction in classroom settings through full-time teaching programs and pilot initiatives, including the Model Classroom Pilot Team and partnerships with the NYC Department of Education. Services are delivered in schools across Districts 1, 7, and 17.
- Distribute literacy resources and support tools for educators and familiesProvides structured literacy lesson plans, teaching strategies, home-based reading support, and a NYC resource guide to help families identify dyslexia and access free or low-cost evaluators, education advocates, and legal support.
- Host forums and guidance sessions for families of students with dyslexiaHosts forums where NYC specialists provide guidance to families on securing school-based support for students with dyslexia, enhancing access to appropriate educational services.
- Provide summer, after-school, and in-school literacy programs for underserved studentsOperates Summer Academy, after-school, and in-school programs in multiple schools in District 1 (Lower East Side) and through Literacy Academies, offering structured literacy support and resources to struggling readers and their families.
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Education Policy Advocacy & Reform 1 activity
- Advocate for systemic literacy policy reform and educator preparationConducts advocacy and policy work to raise awareness among families, community members, and decision-makers about education policies affecting literacy. Convenes the NY State Path Forward cohort and education leaders across New York State to transform early literacy instruction and integrate the science of reading into educator preparation programs.
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Special Education Day Schools 1 activity
- Establish and operate public Literacy Academies for students with dyslexia and language-based learning disabilitiesOperates two public schools in New York City — South Bronx Literacy Academy and Central Brooklyn Literacy Academy — serving students in grades 2–8 with dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other language-based learning disabilities. The South Bronx campus opened in 2023 for grades 2–3 and expanded to include grade 4, with further expansion planned in District 7; the Central Brooklyn campus opened in fall 2025 in Crown Heights.
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Documentary Film Production 1 activity
- Produce and distribute documentary content to raise awareness about dyslexia and literacy equityProduced and released the documentary "Left Behind," which chronicles the effort to open the nation's first public school specifically designed for students with dyslexia, to inform and advocate for systemic change.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.88M
Contributions & grants$3.85M99%
Program service revenue$25K1%
Investment income$1780%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$2.16M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$1.17M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.68M
Cash$1.47M
Investments$0
Liabilities$82K
Net assets$2.59M
Liquid reserves8.1 mo
1 years on record · 2024–2024
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ILIA EDWARDS | DIRECTOR OF INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS | 40 | $160K |
| RUTH GENN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $124K |
| NAOMI PENA | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | 40 | $114K |
| EMILY HELLSTORM | DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS | 40 | $114K |
board members · 5
- ANDY RAFAL — TREASURER
- INGRID BATEMAN — SECRETARY
- JAMIE WILLIAMSON — DIRECTOR
- JEANNINE KIELY — CHAIR
- MEISHA PORTER — DIRECTOR
relationships · 24
Who they work with
- Center for Educational Innovation Partner — Collaborates with a visiting senior fellow from the Center for Educational Innovation on literacy initiatives.
- Central Brooklyn Literacy Academy Partner — LAC is expanding into Brooklyn through a pilot program and the launch of Central Brooklyn Literacy Academy.
- Central Brooklyn Literacy Academy Partner — Operates Central Brooklyn Literacy Academy as its second school serving students with dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities.
- Central Brooklyn Literacy Academy (PS 969) Partner — Operates teaching programs in partnership with Central Brooklyn Literacy Academy in District 17.
- IP2 Partner — Engages with consultants from IP2 on literacy policy and practice.
- Institutions of Higher Education Partner — Collaborates with institutions of higher education to deliver culturally relevant, structured literacy programming.
- NY State Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon Partner — Engages with a state assemblymember and Higher Education Committee member to influence literacy policy.
- New York City Department of Education Partner — Collaborated with LAC to launch a pilot program for students with dyslexia
- New York City Department of Education Partner — Collaborates with LAC to bring evidence-based, culturally responsive structured literacy instruction into public schools.
- New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Partner — Collaborates with NYCPS leadership to advance literacy policy and practice.
- New York Community Trust Funder — Awarded a $150,000 grant to support literacy efforts for underserved youth
- New York State Education Department (NYSED) Partner — Collaborates with NYSED leadership to advance literacy policy and practice.
- Office of Governor Kathy Hochul Government — Engages with education officials in the Governor's office to influence literacy policy.
- PS 191 Paul Robeson Partner — LAC's pilot program is implemented at PS 191 Paul Robeson in Brooklyn.
- School District 1 Partner — LAC manages programming and school partnerships in District 1 in Manhattan.
- South Bronx Literacy Academy Partner — LAC manages instruction and teacher training at South Bronx Literacy Academy.
- South Bronx Literacy Academy Partner — Operates South Bronx Literacy Academy as its first district public school designed for students with dyslexia.
- South Bronx Literacy Academy (PS 642) Partner — Operates teaching programs in partnership with South Bronx Literacy Academy in the South Bronx.
- The City University of New York (CUNY) Partner — Collaborates with CUNY leadership to advance literacy policy and practice.
- The Hunt Institute Partner — Collaborates with a state team coach from The Hunt Institute on literacy policy work.
- The State University of New York (SUNY) Partner — Collaborates with SUNY leadership to advance literacy policy and practice.
- The Windward Institute Partner — Collaborates to provide professional development resources for teachers, including classes, webinars, and articles on literacy instruction.
- University of the State of New York Partner — Collaborates with leadership from the University of the State of New York to advance literacy policy and practice.
- Western Suffolk Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) Partner — Engages with BOCES leadership to support literacy advancement.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Driven Advocacy and Parent Empowermentmethodology: community-driven advocacyBy empowering parents and community members to lead reform efforts and using documentary storytelling to shift public understanding, we produce systemic change in literacy education, because sustainable reform emerges most effectively when driven by the lived experience of affected families.
- Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Literacy Instructionmethodology: culturally_responsive_sustaining_educationBy integrating students' cultural and linguistic backgrounds into structured literacy instruction, we produce deeper engagement and academic success, because students are more likely to thrive when their identities are affirmed and centered in the learning process.
- Integrated Academic and Socioemotional Support Modelmethodology: integrated-support-for-learning-disabilitiesBy integrating structured literacy instruction with support for executive functioning and mental health conditions like ADHD and anxiety, we produce better literacy and life outcomes, because students with learning disabilities often face co-occurring challenges that must be addressed holistically.
- Science of Reading Advocacy and Professional Developmentmethodology: science-of-readingBy replacing disproven reading instruction methods with science-of-reading-aligned practices through professional development and policy alignment, we produce systemic improvement in literacy outcomes, because teacher knowledge and instructional fidelity are critical levers for change in underserved schools.
- Structured Literacy for Language-Based Learning Disabilitiesmethodology: structured-literacyBy using structured literacy—an evidence-based, explicit, and systematic approach to teaching reading—we produce improved reading outcomes for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities, because this method directly addresses the cognitive-linguistic deficits underlying their struggles.