Why LINC?

"...Bringing each neighborhood's people and resources together on behalf of the youngest readers energizes the whole community and changes expectations, creating a positive ripple effect for educational success."
MIMI LEVIN LIEBER
Founder, Literacy, Inc.

In 1996, after serving 15 years on the New York State Board of Regents, Mimi Levin Lieber founded Literacy, Inc. in response to low literacy rates in communities throughout New York City. The LINC approach evolved from consultation with the New York City Board of Education and individuals and groups involved in early literacy efforts. Through conversations and research LINC was created

Because seventy-five percent of children who are poor readers in the
first grade remain poor readers in the ninth grade.
(Journal of Educational Psychology 88, no.1, 1996).

Because research indicates that reading success is linked to the
amount of time children spend with books and their sense of
what adults around them expect.

Because the many strengths that exist in every school and in every
community can be connected, building a coordinated and sustainable
process of support for children learning to read.

Because when communities, parents and schools see the effect of their
coordinated efforts, community pride grows stronger and children sense
how much the community cares about their long term educational success.

Because involving parents and community members in a deliberate,
replicable process to enhance early literacy increases the skills and
expands the strength of the whole neighborhood.

Because such a process is key to maintaining a continued focus and
pressure to ensure that the community's children will read on time
and the neighborhood's expectations for its children will grow.