Barbara Bush Foundation announces family literacy support at event at UNE
At a ceremony held today at the George and Barbara Bush Center on the 91直播视频 Biddeford Campus, Former First Lady Barbara Bush announced awards totaling $310,000 to 14 communities in Maine to support her passion for parents and children reading and learning together.
The awards were awarded through the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, which funds local programs focused on reading, writing and language comprehension.
"The ability to read, write and comprehend empowers people to create brighter and more prosperous futures for themselves, their families and their communities," said Mrs. Bush.
Applications were submitted by libraries, adult education programs, and public schools across the state. Representatives from each program accepted grant awards from Mrs. Bush and Doro Bush Koch, co-chair of the Barbara Bush Foundation. They were joined by U.S. Senator Susan Collins, First Lady Ann LePage and 91直播视频 President Danielle Ripich, Ph.D.
In addition, in a surprise announcement, Doro Bush Koch awarded the first Barbara Bush Foundation College Scholarship Fund award to Michelle and Tony Lucas, noting their hard work "in the classroom, at jobs, and at home raising two daughters." This new scholarship is awarded to some of the state's most deserving family literacy students.