For Immediate Release
March 1, 2004
Contacts:
703-324-8313
703-324-8300
Library Foundation Wins Starbucks Grant For Motheread-Fatheread
The Fairfax Library Foundation is pleased to announce the receipt of a $10,000 grant from the Starbucks Foundation for the continuation of its successful Motheread-Fatheread program.
"This national program is recognized as one of the premier family literacy programs in the country, and the Foundation was thrilled to be involved," says the Foundation's Director of Community Outreach, Mary Knapp.
Motheread-Fatheread helps ensure that children from low-income families, and those with limited English-speaking skills, develop greater reading readiness for kindergarten. Their parents and guardians are taught by trained facilitators to improve family communication through reading books to their children and discussing the concepts introduced by the stories.
The Library Foundation launched its Motheread-Fatheread program in 2001, and since then almost 5,000 children and more than 3,400 parents and guardians have been impacted by the program. In addition, more than 5,400 books have been given to participants.
The Starbucks grant will allow the Foundation to hire two Spanish-speaking interns who will expand Motheread-Fatheread's summer service sites.
About the Library Foundation
FCPL Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation committed to providing supplementary support to the Fairfax County Public Library. The Foundation, while reinforcing the need for continued and increased public support for the Library, serves as a catalyst for attracting private funding from individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations to enhance library services for our community.
About the Starbucks Foundation
Since its inception in 1997, The Starbucks Foundation has awarded $8 million to more than 760 literacy and youth organizations. These grants provide organizations support in the development of innovative learning opportunities for children and youth. This includes funding for books, educational materials, volunteer training and staff that further the educational mission of grant recipient organizations. Funding for the Foundation has come mostly from Starbucks Coffee Company and also from individual donations. This is one element of Starbucks' continuing efforts to give back to the community. Their Web site is at www.starbucks.com.