In a recent government meeting, the executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Durham and Tioga Counties expressed deep disappointment over the agency's exclusion from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding list. The organization had submitted a proposal for $40,000, aimed at supporting adult literacy programs in Binghamton, but was not selected for funding.

The director highlighted a potential lack of understanding regarding the agency's vital role in the community, which serves adults who did not complete high school, need to learn English, or require basic digital literacy skills. Each year, Literacy Volunteers helps hundreds of individuals achieve their educational and employment goals through personalized, one-on-one instruction.

The director noted that they were unaware of the opportunity to present their proposal to the Community Development Advisory Committee, which may have impacted the decision-making process. After learning of their exclusion, the director reached out to the mayor, who promised to review the proposal despite the missed presentation. However, the agency was ultimately not considered favorably after this review.

With limited funding from the state and reliance on donations, the director warned that without the CDBG grant, the agency may have to reduce services at a time when demand is at an all-time high. The plea for reconsideration emphasized the importance of community support in continuing to provide essential literacy services to the most underserved populations.