Adult Illiteracy is everybody's problem, but everybody can help solve it!

Adult illiteracy and low literacy affect all of us. Given that nearly 70% of New Orleanians are functioning at or below the 9th grade reading level, the chances are good that someone you know is struggling to do basic tasks that you might take for granted.

It affects crime in our community:  More than one-third of all juvenile offenders confined to correctional facilities read below the fourth-grade level.

It affects health care: Most health care materials are written at the tenth-grade level, though one out of five Americans reads below the fifth-grade level.

It affects the workplace: 50% of potential adult students tested in September 2009  by YES! for a New Orleans-based construction skills program failed to demonstrate the 6th-grade math skill level required for admittance.

*Statistics courtesy of the Literacy Alliance of Greater New Orleans

YMCA Educational Services (YES!) is the adult literacy branch of the YMCA of Greater New Orleans. We provide quality instruction to adults ages 16 and older in reading, math, and language. Our goal is to give adults the skills they need to find better jobs, help children with homework, or effectively manage household finances.

YES! serves adults who read at the  8th grade level or below. It is the only adult education provider in the area that focuses exclusively on serving these lowest-level learners.

Find out how you can join us as a student or volunteer!