Merrimack Valley Early Reading Programs Receive More Than $6.7 Million in Federal Funds

WASHINGTON, DC – September 2, 2008 – Congresswoman Niki Tsongas and representatives from the Department of Education today presented more than $6.7 million in federal funds to the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council (GLCAC) and Lowell's Community Teamwork Incorporated (CTI).  The funding will be used by each nonprofit organization to improve the school readiness of Merrimack Valley children, particularly those from low-income families, through the promotion of early childhood reading.  Both organizations were among just 31 out of more than 350 applicants nationwide to receive funding for the Early Reading First program.  They were the only two organizations to receive this grant funding in the state of Massachusetts.

GLCAC's Early Steps Towards Reading, Education, Language and Literacy Acquisition (EStRELLA) program received $3,976,257 which will allow them to serve 235 low-income children at sites in the greater Lawrence area including the Methuen YMCA where the check presentation took place this afternoon.

The $2,766,184 in federal funds received by CTI and their partner organization the Education Development Center will support Lowell's Enhanced Approach for Developing Early Readers (LEADER) program.  The program aims to work in 10 classrooms, potentially reaching 525 of Lowell's children during the 3 years of the project. LEADER will also implement an intensive professional development program for nearly 30 Lowell staff. 

At today's check presentation ceremony Congresswoman Niki Tsongas said, "early childhood reading is a critically important component of childhood development and contributes greatly to a child’s ability to arrive at school ready to learn and achieve.  We are fortunate to have two outstanding programs here in the Merrimack Valley that are helping young children to read at an age appropriate level and I am so pleased that the Department of Education has provided this significant amount of federal funding to each."

GLCAC Associate Director Chick Lopiano added, "this grant is a milestone in advancing literacy among children in the greater Lawrence area. We are pleased to be one of the thirty-one national receipts for this grant, two of which are in the Fifth District, and the only ones granted to community action agencies in Massachusetts."

Karen Frederick, executive director of CTI said, "Community Teamwork, Inc. (CTI) is very pleased to be awarded the Federal Early Reading First Grant with our partner The Education Development Center, Inc. (EC) based in Newton.  This grant will enable CTI preschool teachers to focus on enhancing children's language, cognitive, and early reading skills so critical to school readiness and academic success.  The grant will provide professional development for teachers, early language and reading development, instructional materials, and the opportunity to develop literature rich environments.  The Early Reading First Grant will also allow CTI to enhance our programming by integrating scientifically based reading research into all aspects of the program.  And, the grant will allow CTI to expand family partnerships and involvement in the reading and learning process of their children, which are so critical to later school success."

Pictured left to right: Maureen Mulcahy, GLCAC Planning & Development Director, Gayle Williams, Director, GLCAC Community Partnerships for Children, Charles "Chick" LoPiano, Assistant Executive Director GLCAC, Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, Philip Laverriere, Executive Director Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Judith Yelle, President Board of Directors GLCAC, and children from the Methuen YMCA preschool