January 2006 Bank of America and Ulster BOCES Join Forces in Promoting Literacy
Bank of America and the Ulster Adult Career Education Center have joined forces to promote literacy for Ulster County children and their parents in a new project called, “Backpacks for Family Literacy.” The Bank of America Foundation, dedicated to achieving higher standards in its commitment to community partnerships and economic development in the Hudson Valley, has awarded a $4,750 grant to support the literacy project.
“It is so exciting,” says Coleen Macaluso, literacy coordinator at the Ulster Adult Education Center in Port Ewen. “The families are so appreciative; some are saying it ‘made their holiday.’ It couldn’t have happened without the grant.”
The Bank of America grant was used to purchase approximately 1,000 books for 50 Hudson Valley families enrolled in Ulster Adult Education Center literacy programs. Each family also received a royal blue backpack for carrying their books, as well as book lights and bookmarks. Some books were selected for students according to their reading levels and at a recent program kickoff, students were given an opportunity to select titles of their choice from a wonderful collection of adventure, biography, classic, fantasy, mystery, and science fiction books.
Backpacks for Family Literacy was created specifically to enhance the Ulster BOCES Literacy program, which serves a high number of low-income families. The program partners young, emerging readers with their parents, building a foundation for shared commitment to educational achievement, the first step in a long path toward financial independence.
Ulster BOCES Literacy programs offer free, open enrollment classes for GED (General Educational Development), ESL (English as a Second Language), home study, and EDGE (Education for Gainful Employment). Classes are available at more than seven locations throughout Ulster County. Students are required to be at least 18 years of age to participate in the GED or ESL programs. The home study and EDGE programs require students to be at least 21 years of age to participate. Free career classes may be available to qualified students. For more information about Backpacks for Family Literacy or Ulster Adult Career Education Center programs, please contact Elizabeth Hayter at 845-331-0902.
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation, one of the largest corporate foundations in the country, announced an unprecedented $1.5 billion, 10-year goal commitment to philanthropic giving in 2004. To date, it has contributed more than $72 million to help children and families succeed in life by supporting programs in early childhood development, economic and financial education, and teacher development. Communities are strengthened through additional grants to nonprofits that help people obtain affordable housing and develop job skills.
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