HF Launches ABLE Initiative
with 300k Award
from Walmart Foundation

On Monday, February 2, 2012, the Hispanic Federation (HF) announced the launch of its Adult Basic Literacy and Education (ABLE) Initiative with $300,000 from the Walmart Foundation.  ABLE provides grants to New York City-based HF member agencies that want to expand ESOL, Adult Basic Education, Pre-GED or GED classes.

Latinos, especially low-wage workers and new immigrants, have been devastated by the economic recession.  Lack of high school and college degrees, language barriers and difficulty accessing job training all contribute to this crisis.  Further, there is little availability of free or low-cost ABE, ESL and GED classes.

“Walmart’s generous funding will enable us to open the doors of greater opportunity for hundreds of Latinos,” stated Lillian Rodríguez López, President of the Hispanic Federation.  “We appreciate Walmart for funding solutions to critical issues facing Latinos, and look forward to our partnership on this project."

"Walmart is committed to promoting education and economic opportunity in New York City and throughout the country," said Philip Serghini, Director of Community Affairs for Walmart.

According to a recent report, “the number of adults in the city lacking English proficiency rose by 3 percent between 2005 and 2009,” while during that same period, “enrollment in English classes plunged nearly 25 percent” – largely the result of a decrease in the availability of programs that offer English courses. The ABLE Initiative will help to minimize these gaps and provide economic opportunity to New York City Latinos.

Subgrants of $25,000 will be awarded to agencies that have a track record of providing these services, or that can show an ability to administer and ramp up services quickly.  HF and the Walmart Foundation are currently evaluating proposals submitted by member organizations according to the extent of the problems in their communities, capacity to carry out the project, past experience implementing similar services, and agreement to sign an MOU committing the agency to program activities.

After grants are awarded, the Federation will launch a kick-off event that trains member agency project staff on ABE best practices, meeting service target deliverables, quality assurance and reporting. For more information on the Federation’s ABLE Initiative, please contact José Calderón at 212-233-8955 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .