Our mission is to teach literacy skills in English to empower adults for successful engagement in the home, workplace, and community.

York Literacy Institute (YLI) traces its origins to the early 1970s, when a group of dedicated community volunteers saw the need for adult literacy instruction in York. They trained in the Laubach Method of teaching literacy, laying the foundation for our mission.

In 1976, the York County Literacy Council was established as a nonprofit educational organization. Volunteer tutors provided free, individualized reading and writing instruction.

After becoming incorporated in 1980, the organization expanded to serve a growing number of learners and tutors. Volunteers offered one-on-one support to both English-speaking adults with low literacy and foreign-born individuals seeking to improve their English language skills.

Over the years, our organization has continually expanded our programs to include career pathways, financial literacy, and digital literacy. To better reflect the breadth of our services, we rebranded and adopted the name York Literacy Institute in 2024.

This year, we celebrate 50 years of serving the York County community. We continue to provide adult reading, high school equivalency, English as a Second Language, and digital literacy to adults at no cost. Throughout the year, we have several celebrations planned to recognize our history and look forward to the next 50 years. Look for more information throughout 2026 to join us in celebrating our 50th anniversary milestone.

Do you have a YLI story to share—whether you were here at the start, served as a volunteer, or are a current participant? Please tell us how YLI has touched your life. Contact our Community Relations Manager, Brodi Zimmer, at 717-462-7414 or email cr.mgr@yorkliteracy.org