In February 2010, The Learning Place will be celebrating our 20th anniversary! This past year we had more students come through our doors than ever before. The need for our literacy services is greater in our present economic situation.

The intention of our founder, Phyllis Newland, was to see that The Learning Place carried on. She felt that a group of people who believed in our grassroots program could work together to find a way for the center to continue its mission.

Of the 1, 412 subscribers to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, almost half of the respondents indicated that their organization’s income this year is below expectations. There have been agencies and clubs that promised us funding that have not been able to fulfill their commitments.

That is why YOU are so important in helping us to continue our mission. We know that money is hard to come by these days. We also know what it is like to operate on very little. We have a staff of one, yet we were able to serve over 250 adults and older youth!

• This past year we continued to assist adults to get into BOCES, and college or to find jobs because of the wonderful volunteers that help us.
• Our students learned about gardening, business and financial principles.

We are making a difference in the lives of our neighbors. We reached out into the community and partnered with two other local centers and a church, to assess adults and provide tutoring for them.

• We started a book club for our women & a reading group for our men
and we have provided job training for interns.

You won’t find a better place to invest your money. We use every dollar to make things better for our students. If you share our belief, please send a donation in honor of our 20th anniversary. We pledge to continue to do our best, serving our students in the tradition of our founder. Thank you for your continued support.

Linda Green
Executive Director
The Learning Place
1443 East Genesee Street
Syracuse, NY 13210