The New York City Adult Literacy Initiative is described and evaluated. The program served about 50,000 adult learners in program year 1988-89. The initiative includes programs of the City University of New York, the New York City Board of Education, community-based organizations under the direction of the Community Development Agency, and three public library systems. Most of the diverse student body is enrolled in basic education (BE) or English as a Second Language (ESL). The report contains the following: (1) a profile of the student population's gender, ethnic, and age distribution; (2) a brief description of the program's diversity and range; (3) BE and ESL student distributions by instructional level; (4) data on instructional and contact hours; (5) student employment patterns and literacy gains; (6) program costs; and (7) successes and challenges of 1988-89. A list of participating agencies, including addresses and contact persons, is appended. (MSE) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy Education)