PRLog (Press Release) -
Aug. 24, 2009 - Pennsylvania’
s Center for Literacy will join over 60 non-profits at a rally on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at noon, at the Media, PA courthouse to urge Pennsylvania legislators to pass a fair and equitable budget. CFL will gather a busload of people to attend the rally. Hundreds from various organizations and their constituents will attend. CFL President and Executive Director, JoAnn Weinberger will speak on the devastating effect the budget impasse is having on organizations that provide education services. Weinberger said CFL has already postponed adding adult literacy classes as a result.
Many organizations are experiencing financial ruin due to the budget impasse and some have been forced to close their doors. The Center for Literacy entered the new fiscal year, beginning on July 1, in good financial health. The summer 2009 state budget impasse is nonetheless placing “enormous pressure on current cash flow, and as such is a serious threat to the immediate health of the organization,”
said Charles Rand, external affairs director of CFL. Weinberger went on to say that, “CFL remains optimistic about its long-term prospects although major legislative cuts to adult education funding may have significant ramifications for the field, and could yield decreased revenue for CFL.”
The non-profits participating in the rally have organized themselves as The Southeastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Essential Services. CFL hopes this rally will add pressure on state legislators and leads to the speedy passing of a fair and equitable budget. The lack of a budget not only impacts social service providers but impacts police, teachers, firefighters, state employees, among others. The state has been operating without at budget since July 1.
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The Center for Literacy is Pennsylvania’
s oldest and the nation’s largest adult literacy organization, serving almost 5,000 students in more than 85 locations throughout Philadelphia and Delaware counties.
