New York, NY – On Thursday, August 8, 2024, Assemblymember Grace Lee announced $100,000 in discretionary funding for the Literacy Academy Collective (LAC) in two grants secured in FY2023 and FY2024. Assemblymember Lee allocated this funding as part of her ongoing commitment to support educational initiatives in the 65th Assembly District.

The funding will be used to support the LAC’s Summer Reading Intensive Program, which provides targeted interventions to students in District 1 who are two to three years behind in reading skills. This program offers intensive, hands-on instruction to build foundational literacy skills and address educational disparities. With this funding, the LAC plans to expand both its summer and school-year programs, including after-school sites, and enhance training for educators working with students across six District 1 schools. This expansion aims to establish a strong foundation for long-term academic success and growth.

"I am proud to secure $100,000 in grants for the Literacy Academy Collective to support their transformative work with our young learners," said Assemblymember Grace Lee. "This funding will significantly enhance the LAC’s ability to help struggling readers and provide vital training for educators. I will continue to advocate for the resources needed to ensure every child in the 65th Assembly District can succeed."

“With this funding, we can expand our literacy programs to reach more students in District 1, providing critical support to children who are behind in reading,” said LAC Community Engagement Director Naomi Peña. “We are deeply grateful to Assemblymember Lee for her support in making this possible and for her dedication to our community’s youth.”

The Literacy Academy Collective is dedicated to supporting students with learning disabilities by improving their literacy skills through evidence-based instruction. Their programs are designed to close literacy gaps by providing struggling readers with the tools necessary to succeed academically.