The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy announced May 11, 2009 that its Maryland Family Literacy Initiative is awarding $472,426 to 10 family literacy programs serving low-income, low-literacy Maryland residents. Ranging in size from $35,000 to $50,000, the 10 winners were selected on a competitive basis from a large group of proposals submitted by a wide range of nonprofit organizations and public agencies. The 2009 Maryland Family Literacy Initiative grant winners will be announced at the Foundation's 6th annual Maryland Celebration of Reading, which will take place at The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD, on May 11, 2009 Funds raised by the event will support family literacy programs statewide. This year’s Celebration of Reading, hosted by founder Doro Bush Koch and co-founder Tricia Reilly Koch, will feature guest authors Kelly Corrigan, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Chef Art Smith, Brad Thor, and Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski and his daughter, Jamie K. Spatola, all reading from their most recent bestselling books. Other special guests for the evening include former President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush. “We are very excited to announce our new grantees,” said Doro Bush Koch and Tricia Reilly Koch. “We know these programs will have a positive impact in promoting literacy across the state of Founded by Barbara Bush in 1989, the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy supports the development and expansion of family literacy programs across the United States. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to nonprofit organizations, correctional institutions, homeless shelters, schools and school districts, libraries and community- and faith-based agencies. Over the past 20 years, the Foundation has awarded more than $32 million to 733 family literacy programs in 50 states including the nation's capital. Founded by Doro Bush Koch and Tricia Reilly Koch in 2003, the Barbara Bush Foundation's Maryland Family Literacy Initiative has awarded over $2 million to 51 programs designed to improve literacy in families across the state of The 2009 grant winners, listed in alphabetical order, are: Family and Children’s Services of To support the Family Partnership of $50,000 To support the Literacy is Fundamental for Everyone (LIFE) program, serving 80 children and their families at two sites in HIP Services, Inc. $50,000 To support expansion of the intergenerational family literacy program targeting low-income immigrant Latinos and Africans. This grant will enable more adults to attend the parenting, English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL), and citizenship classes as well as the children’s after-school program and parent-and-child “together time.” Human Services Programs of Carroll County, Inc. $44,000 To support implementation of the Barbara’s PEARLS (Parents Excited About Reading Little Stories), designed to energize and enhance the family literacy programs. The program works with at-risk, low-income families, providing adult education/GED preparation, parent education, child development for children 0-3, and daily parent/child activities. $35,000 To support the Family Literacy Expansion Project, developed to provide long-term support for 120 identified Limited English Proficiency (LEP) families with at least one “at-risk” child currently enrolled in a Prince George’s County, MD, K-3 class. The project will teach participants the English skills necessary to successfully participate in the Council’s family literacy program and provide opportunities to continue the support needed to solidify skills learned. Montgomery County Public Schools $49,020 To support the Families Who Read, Succeed! Program, providing 168 hours of literacy activities for four-year-old children from 50 disadvantaged Latino families, as well as 60 hours of basic English instruction to their parents. Literacy activities will include intergenerational reading with the children during the school day, in the evenings, and during special reading events held at a local library. $49,974 To support the Promoting Literacy at Home: Parents and Children Talking, Reading, Writing, and Creating Brighter Futures program, focusing on teaching parents ways to support children’s literacy through talking, listening, reading aloud, and writing, enabling parents to apply what they’ve learned with their children while at home. The program also includes meals, transportation, field trips, books, and gift cards. SHORE UP! Inc. $50,000 To support expansion of the Wicomico Family Support Center’s literacy program, assisting low- income, single parents living in Maryland’s Eastern Shore district by increasing their education and parenting skills and promoting healthy development for their children. The program will consist of American Basic English (ABE) and GED classes as well as job-skills training, parenting instruction, and child health/development screenings. $50,000 To support the Sudlersville Even Start Family Literacy Program/The Judy Center Partnership Migrant Outreach Project’s partnership with the Queen Anne’s County Board of Education Migrant program, which offers a migrant camp family literacy outreach program that includes intergenerational literacy activities and events for residents of the local migrant camp population. YWCA Annapolis and $45,000 To support enhancement of the YWCA Literacy Initiative program, extending its current literacy services to children 0-5 years along with teen parents who are program participants or referred to the |
