Woman leads literacy effort in Fulton, Montgomery and Schoharie counties

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Lisa Cardilli is the Executive Director of Literacy NY of Fulton, Montgomery & Schoharie Counties. A lawyer by trade, she works out of Cobleskill, and is also an avid reader. When she was approached 18 years ago to lead the organization, it was an offer she couldn’t refuse.

More than 43 million adults in the country cannot read or do basic math above a third-grade level.

At their busiest, the organization serves 130 people, Cardilli said.

In the past, the people using her facility were those whose employer had closed, and they needed to beef up their skills in order to get a new job.

Now many of those coming in are trying to set an example for their kids and grandkids. At the younger end is a 17-year-old boy who was homeschooled. He has a high school diploma, but also wants his GED.

Cardilli has had numerous success stories, where the students she’s taught to read go on to college and to a better life and they remind her that the work she’s doing is very important.

Learn more about the satisfaction Cardilli said she gets from her role helping people by watching the video of Elaine Houston’s story.

MORE: Literacy NY: Fulton, Montgomery & Schoharie Counties