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LITERACY SOLUTIONS NY INC
YONKERS, NY · EIN 133224096 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B60 · Education · Small ($100K-$1M) · literacysolutionsny.org
revenue
$970K
expenses
$969K
net assets
$282K
employees
43
volunteers
90
program ratio
87%
mission · from form 990

LITERACY SOLUTIONS NY, INC. IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROVIDING STUDENT-CENTERED ENGLISH LITERACY SERVICES FOR ADULTS AND ACTING AS A RESOURCE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF LITERACY.

profile · synthesized from sources

Literacy Solutions NY Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in Yonkers, NY, providing student-centered English literacy services for adults. It serves low-literacy adult residents, including immigrants and non-English speakers, in Westchester and Rockland Counties. The organization offers one-on-one tutoring, classroom instruction, citizenship preparation, and case management through community partnerships with libraries and social service agencies.

named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Citizenship Preparation Classes
Instruction and coaching to help immigrants prepare for U.S. naturalization, including legal consultations and mock interviews
Classroom-Based Instruction
ESOL and Basic Literacy classes offered in libraries and community centers in Westchester and Rockland Counties
Haverstraw Literacy Zone Family Welcome Center
Integrated service model combining literacy instruction with case management for housing, hunger, domestic violence, and substance abuse
On-Site Vocational ESOL
Customized English instruction provided at local employer sites in partnership with businesses such as Westchester Country Club and Marriott hotels
One-to-One Tutoring
Free individualized tutoring in Basic Literacy and ESOL provided by trained volunteers matched with adult learners
U.S. Civics for Immigrants (USCFI)
Federally funded curriculum-based classroom program focusing on civics, government, employment, health, and financial literacy for recent immigrants
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Adult Literacy and ESL Tutoring 2 activities
    • Conduct outreach and student intake assessments
      Engages in outreach to low-literate or non-English-speaking adults to connect them with literacy programs. Conducts comprehensive intake and assessment using standardized diagnostic tools and interviews to determine individual learning goals and program placement.
    • Provide adult English literacy and ESOL instruction
      Offers free classroom-based and one-to-one tutoring in English for adult learners at multiple levels, delivered in public libraries, Adult Basic Education Centers, and Head Start Centers across Westchester and Rockland Counties. Serves 500–700 adult students annually through structured instruction tailored to individual learning needs.
  • ESL and Citizenship Instruction 2 activities
    • Deliver citizenship preparation services
      Provides citizenship instruction and preparation classes for adult learners, including support through the naturalization process. Hosts citizenship drives and legal consultation days, with documented outcomes such as the naturalization of nine students on April 4, 2025. Classes are offered at locations including Finkelstein Memorial Library and sites in Nyack and Suffern.
    • Deliver specialized ESOL programs for underserved populations
      Provides gender-specific ESOL programs designed for adults with limited prior education, including separate female-only and male-only classes that incorporate culturally appropriate instruction. These programs have resulted in improved literacy levels and successful U.S. citizenship attainment for participants.
  • Facility-Based Service Delivery 1 activity
    • Operate community literacy centers and host program sites
      Operates administrative offices, classrooms, and tutoring facilities at partner locations including Yonkers Riverfront Library, Garnerville, and sites in Nyack and Suffern. These sites host ESOL classes, citizenship preparation, job fairs, legal consultations, and ongoing tutor-student literacy services.
  • Community Resource Navigation and Support Services 1 activity
    • Provide case management and wraparound support services
      Offers comprehensive case management to address barriers to learning such as housing instability, food insecurity, domestic violence, substance abuse, and challenges related to children’s education. Integrated into services at the Haverstraw Literacy Zone Family Welcome Center and provided at the Yonkers Riverfront Library.
  • Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
    • Recruit and train volunteer literacy tutors
      Recruits, trains, and matches volunteers with adult learners for one-to-one or small group tutoring sessions. Training sessions are hosted at partner sites including Garnerville and Finkelstein Memorial Library.
  • Digital Literacy Training and Technology Access 1 activity
    • Support digital and software-based literacy learning
      Provides students with access to computers equipped with ESOL and basic literacy software to support individual and small-group learning, enhancing traditional instruction methods.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Develop and enhance civics and financial literacy curricula
      Developed the U.S. Civics for Immigrants (USCFI) curriculum using a four-year, $1.2 million federal grant. Expanded the curriculum to include Financial Literacy and Consumer Awareness modules with funding from Consumers Union.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$970K
Contributions & grants$969K100%
Program service revenue$3500%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$969K
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$844K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$421K
Cash$189K
Investments$0
Liabilities$140K
Net assets$282K
Liquid reserves2.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -3.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
BENITO HERRERO PRES/CEO 40 $93K
board members · 7
  • CAROLYNN JULIEN — DIRECTOR
  • DEBORAH WOOD — DIRECTOR
  • FRANCINE VERNON — DIRECTOR
  • JULIE GALLANTY — DIRECTOR
  • MICHAEL LEVY — BOARD CHAIR
  • PATRICIA VAUGHAN — DIRECTOR
  • SUSAN THALER — TREASURER
relationships · 54

Who they work with

  • Adult Basic Education Centers Partner — Hosts tutoring sessions for adult English language learners.
  • Catholic Charities Community Services Partner — Formal partner in the Haverstraw Literacy Zone Family Welcome Center initiative.
  • Consumers Union Funder — Funded the addition of Financial Literacy and Consumer Awareness modules to the USCFI curriculum.
  • County of Rockland Department of Social Services Government — Formal partner in the Haverstraw Literacy Zone Family Welcome Center initiative.
  • Doral Arrowwood Partner — Corporate client receiving customized vocational ESOL classes from LSNY.
  • Finkelstein Memorial Library Partner — Hosts the Rockland citizenship class as part of a partnership with Literacy Solutions NY, Inc.
  • Finkelstein Memorial Library Partner — Provides financial support, dedicated classroom space, and collaborative programming for ESOL, citizenship, and case management services.
  • Finkelstein Memorial Library of Spring Valley Partner — Community partner hosting LSNY programs and services.
  • Haverstraw Center & Haverstraw Collaborative Partner — Formal partner in the Haverstraw Literacy Zone Family Welcome Center initiative.
  • Haverstraw King’s Daughters Library Partner — Formal partner in the Haverstraw Literacy Zone Family Welcome Center initiative.
  • Haverstraw King’s Daughters Library Partner — Hosts Citizenship Preparation classes, job fairs, staff trainings, and tutor-student literacy services.
  • Haverstraw Literacy Zone Partner — Collaborates on an intensive educational program in Haverstraw that includes case management services.
  • Haverstraw Literacy Zone Partner — Collaborates on an intensive educational program with case management services in Haverstraw.
  • Head Start Centers Partner — Hosts tutoring sessions for adult English language learners.
  • Head Start of Rockland Partner — Formal partner in the Haverstraw Literacy Zone Family Welcome Center initiative.
  • Hospitality Resource Group Partner — Corporate client receiving customized vocational ESOL classes from LSNY.
  • Hunter College Partner — Employer of board member Carolynn Julien, indicating organizational affiliation or connection
  • Levy/VonWald Foundation Funder — Private benefactor providing financial support to LSNY.
  • Literacy Volunteers of Westchester County Partner — Former employer of board member Deborah Wood, indicating historical organizational affiliation or connection
  • Marriott Partner — Corporate client receiving customized vocational ESOL classes from LSNY.
  • Mount Kisco Library Partner — Re-established partnership with Literacy Solutions NY to host classes and tutoring sessions in Northern Westchester.
  • Mount Vernon Public Library Partner — Hosted the first library-based affiliate of Literacy Volunteers of America in 1972 and continues to collaborate with Literacy Solutions NY.
  • Nanuet Library Partner — Hosts activities for Literacy Solutions NY’s Tutor Program Manager.
  • New City Library Partner — Community partner supporting LSNY programs.
  • New City Library Partner — Hosts Literacy Solutions NY’s Rockland tutoring program and staff training sessions since the 1970s.
  • New York State Education Department Government — Major funder and grant administrator for LSNY, including for the USCFI curriculum development.
  • North Rockland Central School District Partner — Formal partner in the Haverstraw Literacy Zone Family Welcome Center initiative.
  • Nyack Library Partner — Hosts citizenship drives, legal consultation days, and tutor-student literacy services.
  • Ossining Library Partner — Re-established partnership with Literacy Solutions NY to host classes and tutoring sessions in Northern Westchester.
  • PayPal Partner — Processes secure donations for Literacy Solutions NY, Inc.
+ 24 more
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.

  • Culturally Responsive Pedagogy
    methodology: culturally_responsive_teaching
    By designing curricula and instructional methods to reflect the cultural and oral traditions of learners—including single-gender classrooms and community-informed content—the organization improves engagement and literacy outcomes, because culturally congruent education fosters trust and relevance for adult immigrants.
  • Integrated Support Model
    methodology: integrated-support-model
    By combining language and citizenship instruction with case management, legal support, and volunteer coaching, the organization addresses both academic and non-academic barriers to naturalization, because holistic support increases persistence and success in achieving citizenship.
  • Literacy Zone Community Delivery Model
    methodology: literacy_zone
    By using a Literacy Zone model to deliver services within communities, the organization increases access and participation in literacy programs, because localized, community-embedded services reduce barriers and build trust among immigrant populations.
  • Student-Centered Individualized Instruction
    methodology: differentiated_instruction
    By placing students in differentiated instructional settings—classroom or one-to-one—based on individual learning needs, the organization optimizes engagement and learning outcomes, because matching instruction to learner profiles enhances effectiveness.
  • Tutor Training and Readiness Assurance
    methodology: tutor-training-first
    By requiring volunteer tutors to complete training before being matched with learners, the organization ensures instructional quality and consistency, because prepared tutors are more effective in delivering student-centered literacy instruction.