Literacy Group Staffers Furloughed

(Updated) Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven furloughed staffers this week, leaving the public to read between the lines as to why or what it means for adults seeking help learning to read.

Board President Keith French confirmed the furloughs without offering details. Doors remained open at the nonprofit organization’s Science Park and Gateway Community College offices, where volunteers said some other volunteers were still showing up to conduct classes.

Update: The state Department of Education is making inquiries at the agency ​“to see if they’re in compliance” with the terms of a state grant (which is federally funded), according to department spokesperson Matthew Cerrone.

ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) program manager Kathleen McKenna, who said she’s a volunteer herself, was behind the desk at the Gateway basement office Wednesday. She stated that no new sign-ups were possible for now for people looking for tutoring. One staffer said there were five staff members furloughed.

One longtime volunteer reported to the Independent that she had received notification that the offices were closed.

Staffers and volunteers at both New Haven offices and the email account from the organization’s Derby office referred reporters to board prez French. 

Reached by phone and then in person Wednesday, French refused to answer questions, including the size of the organization’s budget, the reason for the furloughs, the impact of the furloughs on programming, or how much federal money the program receives. He said he would answer questions by email; as of this story’s publication, he had not responded to an email message seeking answers.

The only person present at the Science Park office was another board member. She asked not to be identified by name. She stated that ​“not everybody was furloughed. Just people that needed to be furloughed. … We took action with people that needed to have action taken.”

“We can’t furlough volunteers,” the board member added. ​“We’re still doing things as usual. We’re still holding classes. Tutors are meeting. … We love what we do, and we are so committed to teaching and learning and giving people basic skills and continuing on with what we’ve been doing. That’s not gonna stop, and it hasn’t stopped.”

She said the group works with state and local boards of education to help adults who need literacy tutoring and haven’t been able to access adult education. She referred further questions to French.

“The board took action that was not warranted” and was not related to theft or funding shortages, according to one staffer, who said the total paid staff numbered six. 

The organization’s most recent 990 federal tax form, covering the 2022 fiscal year, reported $465,248 in revenues and $492,910 in expenses, for a $27,662 deficit. The form lists the organization’s 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.” The organization has been around for 50 years.