A nonprofit that has taught adults in Greater New Haven how to read for five decades announced Thursday that it is closing its doors for good.
The agency, Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven (LVGNH), announced in a release that it will officially be out of business as of June 30 “due to unrecoverable financial and operational challenges.”
“Despite months of dedicated efforts to stabilize the organization — including leadership changes, staff reductions, and the pursuit of potential funding and partnerships — the organization is no longer in a position to continue its mission or sustain operations,” the organization stated.
LVGNH opened shop in New Haven five decades ago. It trained more than 6,500 volunteers to teach adults how to read and conduct English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) sessions. It ran sites in the Naugatuck Valley and Meriden as well as in New Haven, all of which are now shutting down. In New Haven classes were conducted at Gateway Community College and Science Park. Over 22,000 people upped their reading, speaking, and writing skills through the program over the years, according to the organization.
The group began the closing process on Feb. 5 when it furloughed five of its six paid staffers. It then fired them on March 4. The board announced that it was investigating unidentified financial problems. It also ended up not drawing down an $81,089 state adult ed grant for which it had been approved.
The organization’s most recent 990 federal tax form, covering the 2023 fiscal year, reported $430,973 in revenues and $497,267 in expenses, for a $66,294 deficit. The agency lists its mission as “serv[ing] literacy deficient students with volunteer tutors trained in workshops provided by tutor trainers.” Its website describes the mission as “help[ing] adult learners achieve their life goals through reading, acquiring a second language, obtaining citizenship or being able to enter a job training program by increasing their math skills.”
“Though we are saddened by the closure, we understand the importance of adult literacy services and remain committed to helping students and volunteers transition to other resources,” said Lyn Kobsa, interim executive director.
In response to a question from the Independent seeking specifics about the financial issues behind the closing, Kobsa emailed: “The previous leadership did not provide the board with transparent or timely financial information that could have enabled earlier intervention. Beginning July 1, the board began requesting details about the organization’s fundraising and revenue-generating plans but did not receive the necessary information. As the organization lacked the operating funds to meet payroll, it was forced to borrow from its line of credit and tap into savings and investments twice — to pay staff. In response, the board asked for a plan to reduce expenses and align them with projected revenue. Unfortunately, the plan presented was insufficient, and the executive director subsequently resigned. The following week, most of the staff had to be furloughed.“
What next?
“The board is working with legal and financial advisors to ensure a responsible and transparent dissolution in accordance with nonprofit law. A list of alternative literacy programs is being compiled to help direct former students and tutors to continued support,” the group’s release said. It quoted Kobsa as stating, “Though we are saddened by the closure, we understand the importance of adult literacy services and remain committed to helping students and volunteers transition to other resources.”
New Haven has upped its efforts to help children learn to read with a citywide tutoring initiative.
Mayor Justin Elicker called the closing news “disappointing.” He noted that in the past the city has supported LVGNH with federal block grant money.
“This is an uncertain time for government and non profits. We will look for ways to help support our partner nonprofits where we can as they are important service providers in our community,” Elicker said.
New Haven Reads, which works with kids citywide, does not have current plans to expand offerings to adults, said Development Director Fiona Bradford, who said the agency was “saddened” to hear about Literacy Volunteers closing.