Josh's Story - Advocates for Children of New York

Josh, a kind and determined young man, faced years of struggle learning to read due to a language-based learning disability and inadequate support from the school system. By age 20, he still read at a first-grade level and could not manage basic daily tasks requiring literacy. The Department of Education mistakenly told Josh’s mother their services ended when he turned 18, leaving him out of school for two years and unable to progress in vocational programs. When AFC stepped in, they secured intensive, individualized reading instruction for Josh, and within six months he advanced to a 4th/5th grade reading level. Despite losing his greatest advocate—his mother—Josh pushed forward, earning his high school equivalency diploma and preparing for a future in music and business. His journey shows that the right support can unlock a student’s true potential. Learn more and read Josh’s full inspiring story using the link.