Recently, Literacy Volunteers of Bangor & Penquis CAP was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Barbara Bush Foundation around work with Family Literacy. As part of the grant, LV of Bangor will expand services to include English Language Learners focusing on culturally sensitive activities and the importance of native language literacy. Below, please find the press release (abridged) detailing the grant and also a picture of Ben Smith, Board President of LV-Bangor, accepting the grant from former First Lady Barbara Bush and State of Maine First Lady Karen Baldacci.
BARBARA BUSH AWARDS $234,995 FOR MAINE FAMILY LITERACY INITIATIVE
Embargoed until June 19, 2007
Contact: David Connerty-Marin, 624-6880, Becky Dyer – 624-6755
Augusta –Mrs. Barbara Bush announced on June 19th that the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy awarded $234,995 to Maine Family Literacy Initiative programs in fifteen Maine communities. Representatives from each program accepted their grant awards from Mrs. Bush and Maine’s First Lady, Karen Baldacci, at an awards ceremony at the J. Richard Martin Community Center in Biddeford. Maine Family Literacy Initiative money supports programs that improve the reading skills of parents and their children, while developing solid literacy practices in the home.
“I’m so proud of the students and teachers who have participated in our Maine Family Literacy Initiative.” said Mrs. Bush, Honorary Chairperson of the Foundation. “They have accomplished so much over the past twelve years. We know that thousands of parents and children are now able to share the pleasure as well as the benefits of reading as a result of their hard work in the 166 family literacy programs funded by the Maine Family Literacy Initiative so far.” “Reading holds the key to success in life,” said Maine’s First Lady Karen Baldacci. “Barbara Bush has devoted many years of work to promote and increase family literacy. I would like to thank and honor her on behalf of the people of the State of Maine for her dedication to such a worthy cause.”
Eight winning grants of approximately $25,000 were chosen this year from applications submitted by libraries, community-based organizations, colleges, adult education, and public schools across the state to implement family literacy programs. These programs provide family literacy services that include adult literacy instruction, early childhood literacy instruction, and parent and child time for reading together. The Maine Family Literacy Initiative has awarded 166 grants totaling of $2,787,855 in its twelve-year history to develop or expand Maine family literacy programs.
The Barbara Bush Foundation also funds family literacy initiatives in Texas, Florida, and Maryland, as well as through its annual national grant competition. As of June 2007, the Foundation, which was established in 1989, will have awarded nearly $30 million to build or expand more than 650 family literacy programs in 48 states and the District of Columbia.
FY 2008 Maine Family Literacy Initiative Grantees
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF BANGOR, BANGOR – Voices in Diversity: Parents and Children Celebrating Literacy is a partnership between Literacy Volunteers of Bangor and the Penquis Community Action Program. They will expand their services to include English Language Learners focusing on culturally sensitive activities and the importance of native language literacy.
Above: First Lady of the State of Maine Karen Baldacci, LV Bangor Board President Ben Smith, & Former First Lady Barbara Bush