FLAGS began in 1999 when the staff of Success By 6 convened a meeting of adult literacy providers, childcare providers, Head Start employees, pre-kindergarten personnel and interested members of the community to discuss how to positively affect literacy rates in Central New York. Subsequent meetings led to the creation of FLAGS, which operates under the auspices of Success By 6 and United Way of Central New York with funding from the Central New York Community Foundation.

FLAGS has accomplished a number of goals, including: a broad expansion of literacy staff training sessions and workshops, sponsored activities to encourage family reading (including the Success By 6 Children’s Book Fest, the backpack project, Family Nights curriculum and several book drives), and leadership in many local literacy activities.

New York State recently recognized FLAGS as an organization that continues the legacy and principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “This award truly captures the essence of FLAGS, which is all about members of the community rallying around common goals,” said Nancy Volk, FLAGS coordinator. “This is an award for an entire community.”