Press Release - New Funding
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Haley Wiggins, The Family Place
April 23,
2009 202.265.0149
hwiggins@familyplacedc.org
Jennifer
Elena, Crosby~Volmer
202.232.6576 jelena@crosbyvolmer.com
The Family Place Awarded One of Ten 2009 Barbara Bush Foundation
for Family Literacy Grants
Washington, D.C. – The Barbara Bush Foundation announced today that it has awarded a $65,000 grant to The Family Place in Washington D.C. to fund their Comprehensive Family Literacy Project that will reach 60 additional local families and promote the development of parent and early childhood literacy.
The Family Place was one of ten organizations to receive a family literacy grant this year. The Barbara Bush Foundation has awarded over $30 million to more than 700 family literacy programs in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
“Reading aloud to children, early and often is the single most important thing that a parent can help a child start school ready to learn,” said Barbara Bush. “And, parents who are able to read, write and comprehend can get better jobs, improve their families’ lives, and participate more fully in their communities as well. That’s why the projects we fund must provide literacy instruction for parents as well as their children.”
For 29 years, The Family Place has provided D.C. families in need with resources and support to ensure the healthy development of young children and their parents. Parents receive individualized services and participate in group activities designed to increase their knowledge of child health and development, promote peer support, build confidence in their own abilities, and enhance long-term family stability.
“We are proud of the recognition from The Barbara Bush Foundation. Thanks to this award, 60 additional families in Washington D.C. will be provided with English and computer literacy instruction, early childhood education, parenting classes, home visits and intergenerational literacy activities,” said Haley Wiggins, executive director of The Family Place.
This year’s grant recipients will be announced at the Foundation’s fifteenth annual fundraiser, A Celebration of Reading, which will be held at the Hobby center for the Performing Arts in Houston on April 23rd. The evening will be hosted by George and Barbara Bush and star authors such as Ted Bell, Cherie Blair, Christopher Buckley, Sara Gruen, Jon Meacham and Julia Reed plus other surprise guests.
The nine other grant recipients are: Cambodian Association of America, Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care, Inc., Union Mission, Inc., Howard Area Community Center, Whiteside County Regional Office of Education, ISD Robbinsdale Area School Early Childhood Family Education, Crossroads Rhode Island, Middle Tyger Community Center and Madison Metro School District.
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The Family Place was founded in 1980 in Washington D.C. Today, The Family Place provides education and support services to families including; healthy early childhood development, adult ESL and literacy programs, nutrition and pre-natal instruction, and a Spanish-language support group and services for victims of domestic violence. All programs empower parents to provide their children with a healthy environment. With over 400 families served each year, the organization is committed to making a better life for those living in the local community.
A PDF version of this Press Release is available for download.