nypl:

Growing up, Leticia Cruz never thought she was smart enough for school and dropped out in the 10th grade.

Thanks to The New York Public Library, the 18-year-old from the Bronx discovered that she liked reading and is now working on getting her GED so she can go to college to become a physical therapist.

Working with literacy specialist Shawanda Williams Scott of NYPL’s Literacy Connection program, Leticia improved her reading by four grade levels in six months. The program’s small class size and highly interactive teaching style helped her to thrive and gain confidence in her abilities.

“I never knew I was smart until I came to the Library,” says Leticia, 18.

Literacy classes and other essential Library services could be dramatically cut back due to a proposed $43 million reduction in funding for The New York Public Library.

Protect your roots. Support your branches. Sign a letter of support for NYPL today.