September 8th is International Literacy Day. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established Literacy Day in 1965 to call attention to the world-wide issues of illiteracy. Nations throughout the world recognize that deficits in literacy are contributing to unemployment, poverty and many other societal problems. It is more likely for children to have low literacy in homes where parents have low educational levels. Conversely, children with engaged home literacy environments demonstrate higher reading levels at an early age. In New York, an estimated 2.7 million adults lack basic literacy, math and employment stills. Low-level reading and math skills are linked to poverty, incarceration and dropout rates. What’s more, the same individuals lack basic health, financial and consumer literacy, according to Literacy New York, Inc., which serves more than 6,500 adults each year through a network of 34 affiliates and their volunteers. Although these statistics are grim, there’s no reason to give up hope, because you can help! Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County will offer a one-hour Volunteer Opportunities Information Session on Wednesday, September 10th, 12:00 noon at the LVORC office, 1915 Fifth Avenue, Troy. Call 274-8526 to reserve a space. LVORC is looking for volunteers to be individual tutors to adult learners, as well as reading mentors for Everybody Wins! Power Lunch, and for tutors to work with incarcerated learners in Rensselaer County Jail.  For more information, visit www.lvorc.org.