LINC in the News
Read about what’s happening at LINC and with our families, both in the news and through blog posts written by our team.
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Media Advisory: Literacy in Community Announces Annual Reading on the Rails Adventure: All Roads Lead to Central Park on August 13
It’s that time of year again. Literacy in Community (LINC), a leading early literacy nonprofit, will hold its 12th annual Reading on the Rails event on August 13 with all roads leading to Central Park, “the place to be.” Over 400 families from all five boroughs will travel in groups with LINC on public transit,…
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LINC Advocates for State Budget Updates to the Foundation Aid Formula to Add a Weight for Students who are Homeless or in Foster Care
April 8, 2026 Literacy in Community (LINC) is a New York City based nonprofit serving families with children from birth through age five. We work in high poverty neighborhoods across all boroughs to provide empowering programs that help parents and caregivers prepare their children for the formal instruction they will encounter in school as well as share the joy and adventure of reading together. The majority of our families enroll their children in New York City public schools. Therefore, the structure of the Foundation Aid formula has a direct bearing on the resources available to the families we have served…
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LINC’s Executive Director, Shari Levine Interviewed for the Washington Square News’ Magazine
How NYC is relearning reading education* By Aashna Miharia, Deputy Managing Editor, Washington Square News Over the last couple of years, New York City’s public school system has drawn national attention after drastically altering how elementary schools teach students to read. As city officials continue to roll out curriculum changes — part of the initiative “New York City Reads” — field experts warn that improving literacy rates will require more than just an overhaul of reading instruction, but an emphasis on the cogs of the education system that are often overlooked. “If you don’t learn to read and write, there’s…
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LINC in the Media: Diversity Through Literacy Featured in the “Riverdale Press”
Children’s literacy program at Kingsbridge Library highlights immigrant stories and identity By Michelle Mullen At the Kingsbridge Library this month, young readers are setting off on a literary journey. For some, it’s a chance to embrace their own stories. For others, it’s a chance to discover someone else’s. It’s part of this year’s Diversity in Literacy campaign, an annual initiative by the nonprofit Literacy in Community, or LINC, which uses children’s books to introduce young readers and their families to stories that reflect the many languages, traditions and backgrounds that make up the five boroughs. This year’s theme, “A Love…
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NYC Reads Together: A Historic Step Toward Every Child Reading by 2035
Last week, leaders from across New York City’s education, nonprofit, research, and policy sectors came together for what many are calling a historic moment for early literacy: the NYC Reads Together Literacy Ecosystem Summit. Organized by the Center for Public Research and Leadership (CPRL) at Columbia University, this convening brought together an extraordinary group of leaders—from NYC Public Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels and SUNY Chancellor John B. King, to NYC Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner Sandra Escamilla-Davies and Council Member Eric Dinowitz—alongside practitioners, researchers, and community organizations working on the frontlines of early learning. What emerged was…
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Running for Readers for the 4th Year in a Row: LINC is an Official Charity Partner for the 2026 TCS NYC Marathon
New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City, has named Literacy in Community (LINC) an Official Charity Partner of the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon for the fourth year in a row. 2026 is the 50th anniversary of the iconic five‑borough course, and a milestone year for LINC as we celebrate our 30th birthday. Our programs have been running in all five boroughs of NYC since 1996 – just like the 26.2-mile marathon, and we are pumped to participate again on Sunday, November 1, 2026. On your mark, get set, and go – start spreading…
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Media Advisory: Literacy in Community (LINC) and Fidelis Care Join Together to Send “A Love Letter to NYC Immigrants & Working Families” at LINC’s Diversity Through Literacy 2026 Campaign
Campaign celebrates diverse representation and inclusion in children’s literature NEW YORK, NY, March 11, 2026 – Literacy in Community (LINC), an early childhood literacy nonprofit, and Fidelis Care, a New York State health plan, announced the sixth year of their collaborative Diversity Through Literacy campaign. Started in 2021, Diversity Through Literacy is an annual campaign recognizing the power of children’s literature to celebrate diversity in all forms by sharing many voices, embracing unique perspectives, honoring different cultures, and more. From March 14 – April 4, 2026, LINC and Fidelis Care will host eight separate Diversity Through Literacy events across New…
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Play, Partner, Progress: LINC Leaders Present A Bilingual Approach to Family-Educator Literacy Engagement at the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE)’s 55th Annual International Conference in Chicago
From February 9-13, LINC’s Chief Program Officer, Laura Walsh and Bilingual Content and Delivery Specialist, Stephanie Santos, joined educators from around the world advocating for the power of bilingual programming at the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE)’s 55th annual conference in Chicago. Laura and Stephanie presented Play, Partner, Progress: A Bilingual Approach to Family-Educator Literacy Engagement and described how Literacy in Community (LINC) partners with families and educators to support early literacy development in culturally and linguistically diverse communities. LINC’s new “LINCubator” model pairs professional learning for educators with parent workshops, introducing low-lift, high-impact literacy games rooted in the…
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LINC Leaders Present “Thrive by Five: Why Literacy Must Be Part of Universal Childcare and Every Early Childhood System” at the 55th Annual Legislative Conference
On Saturday, February 14, love for early childhood well-being was in the air! Literacy in Community’s (LINC) Chief of Strategic Initiatives, Emmanuel Novy, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Karen Rogel, and Chief of Advocacy & Community Mobilization, Albania Jimenez, joined collective voices in Albany for the 55th Annual Legislative Conference. Organized by the The New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislators (The Association), the 2026 conference theme was emphatic: “Legacy Forward: Transforming Tomorrow Together.” Together, is the operative word here, as cross-sector collaboration is essential in shaping children’s futures. Collaboration was at the heart of our…
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LINC Reads in the Lunar New Year at the New York Taekwondo Park in Staten Island with Most Terrific Day Care
New moves, new books, new year! As we enter the Year of the Horse, LINC’s Staten Island team enthusiastically breathed fire into the passions of young readers. On Thursday, February 12, with the support of our friends at New York Taekwondo Park and Most Terrific Child Center in Rosebank, LINC delivered an unforgettable morning of Lunar New Year treats, crafts, and stories to dozens of families. Master Ray Park, the Korean martial artist, started off this program with taekwondo exercises that got the children moving in unison and voicing their appreciation for their parents. Just like reading, martial arts promote…
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City’s First Readers Celebrates World Read Aloud Day with Guest Author Susie Jaramillo
On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, City’s First Readers (CFR) joined readers around the globe to commemorate one of our favorite days of the year, World Read Aloud Day (WRAD). WRAD started in 2010 and is celebrated annually on the first Wednesday in February. This monumental reading movement includes over 170 countries and 90 million people and grows each year! This year’s celebration was our biggest yet, a virtual bilingual program entitled Canta con Migo (Sing with Me) with a special guest author, the Emmy-nominated storyteller and founder of Encantos, Susie Jaramillo. All who registered received a free copy of…
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City’s First Readers Celebrates City Council Leadership and a Shared Commitment to Early Literacy Across New York City
New York, NY — City’s First Readers (CFR), the New York City Council’s only early literacy initiative, applauds Speaker Julie Menin and City Council leadership for elevating early childhood education through new committee and subcommittee appointments. “I am so pleased to see Speaker Menin recognize the importance of a child’s earliest years by establishing a Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education within the Committee on Education,” said Emmanuel Novy, Chief of Strategic Initiatives at Literacy in Community (LINC) and facilitating partner for City’s First Readers. “If we are serious about improving literacy outcomes, we must start early. We are excited to continue working with…
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Literacy in Community Applauds City Council Leadership and Calls for Bold Early Literacy Action
New York, NY — As Speaker Julie Menin announces her appointments to City Council leadership teams and committees, Literacy in Community (LINC) extends its congratulations to Council Members serving neighborhoods where LINC provides early literacy programs in partnership with families and community organizations. LINC looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Eric Dinowitz, Chair of the Committee on Education, and welcomes the creation of a Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education, to be chaired by Jenifer Gutiérrez. LINC also congratulates Shaun Abreu, Kamala Hanks, Elsie Encarnacion, and Chris Banks, whose constituents are eager and active participants in LINC’s early literacy programs across the city.…
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amNY Op-Ed | Universal Childcare is NYC’s Next Big Leap — But Literacy Must Be the System’s Heart
Universal Childcare Is NYC’s Next Big Leap — But Literacy Must Be the System’s Heart By Antonio Reynoso, Shari Levine & Eliana Godoy New Yorkers agree: universal childcare is core to building a city we can afford. This is not just the opinion of the more than one million New Yorkers who voted to elect Zohran Mamdani for mayor – it is the majority opinion of New York State residents who support the Mayor’s vision of giving parents the opportunity to work and lowering childcare costs for their kids. Now that Governor Hochul announced that New York State will begin funding…
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LINC Applauds Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani for Historic Universal Childcare Commitment—Calls for Early Literacy to Be Built in From Day One
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEW YORK, NY — Literacy in Community (LINC) applauds Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement advancing New York State toward universal childcare and celebrates Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s leadership in moving New York City closer to delivering on this long-standing promise to families. Together, these commitments represent one of the most significant investments in children, families, and the early childhood workforce in a generation. Universal childcare will bring long-overdue relief to families navigating rising costs, stabilize a long-underpaid workforce, and strengthen New York’s economic future. LINC is proud to stand with state and city leaders in recognizing child care as essential…
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Universal Child Care Must Include Early Literacy, Says LINC’s Deputy Executive Director, Eliana Godoy, in The New York Times
To the editor, a response to “How Mamdani’s Audacious Child Care Plan Could Work,” by Rachel Cohen Booth (Opinion guest essay in The New York Times, Dec. 15, 2025) From Eliana Godoy, Deputy Executive Director of Literacy in Community (LINC) Hopes for Mamdani’s Vision for Child Care As an immigrant mother and literacy advocate, I read this essay with both relief and resolve. Relief, because it confirms what families like mine have long known: The child care crisis is not a personal failure but a policy failure. Resolve, because this moment demands courage, not caution. Attempts to discredit universal child…
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Giving the Gift of Literacy: LINC on Good Morning America
Experts share age-by-age book picks to help kids fall in love with reading Literacy in Community (LINC) wants every family to know the joy and power of reading, and on Saturday, December 20, Good Morning America amplified our message by inviting Literacy in Community’s (LINC) Chief Program Officer, Laura Walsh on the show. Laura passionately described LINC’s mission to provide free books, early literacy programs, and opportunities for parents to learn how best to help their children build strong language and literacy foundations – so they enter kindergarten confident and ready to learn. Laura’s three book recommendations for Good Morning America included:…
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LINC Joins the Campaign for Equitable Education Funding (CEEF) to Advocate for Our Families Across New York City and State
Literacy in Community (LINC) is thrilled to announce that we have joined the Campaign for Equitable Education Funding (CEEF). CEEF advocates on both the city and state levels for the resources that our children need. CEEF membership includes 120 advocacy organizations, civil rights organizations, social service providers, and groups representing students, parents, and educators. Right now CEEF is focused on two very important issues: the state’s Foundation Aid formula for NYC needs to be updated; and a number of city programs funded for FY26 (this budget year) are at risk for next year. Please join LINC in sharing an op-ed urging the…
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Integrating Early Literacy into Universal Child Care is Essential
Literacy in Community (LINC) congratulates Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on his victory and his bold commitment to making universal child care a reality for New York City families. His focus on supporting caregivers and strengthening the city’s affordability addresses the urgent needs of communities across the five boroughs. We are especially energized by what this moment can mean for our youngest New Yorkers. Universal child care presents an extraordinary opportunity—not only to help parents return to work, but also to ensure that children from birth have access to the early learning experiences that shape their futures. Integrating early literacy into universal…
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LINC is the Proud Official Charity Partner for the TLC Lions 2025 Human Awards Americas
On Tuesday, November 11, at Gotham Hill, Literacy in Community (LINC) was the proud Official Charity Partner for the TLC Lions 2025 Human Awards Americas. TLC Lions is a global firm that helps organizations build workplaces rooted in empathy, authenticity, and humanity. At the TLC Lions Human Awards event on November 11th in NYC, TLC Lions shone a spotlight on individuals and organizations redefining leadership—grounded in purpose, courage, and above all, being human. Literacy starts at birth and children who develop early literacy skills have greater academic and lifelong success. LINC’s Executive Director Shari Levine compellingly addressed the crowded room, sharing…
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LINC at SOMOS 2025: Empowering Today’s Students, Families and Educators in Today’s Climate and Beyond
Last week, LINC’s Chief Program Officer, Laura Walsh, Chief of Advocacy and Community Mobilization, Albania Jimenez, and Neighborhood Manager for The Bronx, Arisbel Villa joined thought leaders in education from around the globe at the annual SOMOS Conference in Puerto Rico. SOMOS brings together leaders and learners, activists and artists, public officials and private sector champions with a shared belief that the future must be shaped with our communities, not for them. Laura and her fellow panelists, Melissa Aviles-Ramos, Chancellor of New York City Public Schools (NYCPS, Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, Andrea Vasque, Secretary for…
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Team LINC Highlights the Transformative Power of Reading and Running in the 2025 NYC Marathon
Hats off to LINC’s 2025 NYC Marathon Team: Ashley, Tim, Yaneli, Leemen, and Scott! They joined runners, spectators, and fans from around the globe for a 26.2-mile journey through the five boroughs of New York City, in the name of early literacy. Our team is building healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of reading and running, and we could not be prouder. Congratulations to our entire team for helping to bring the joy and power of reading to New York City’s most vulnerable children. Click here to donate in support of Team LINC.
