Hispanic Literacy Program Receives $1 Million Grant from Verizon

    The League of Latin American Citizens’ Young Readers program has received a $1 million grant from the Verizon Foundation to expand the program, which is aimed at improving literacy and academic performance.
Through the grant, LULAC’s National Educational Service Centers, which operate the Young Readers program, will expand the number of schools participating in the program in six cities: Dallas; Kansas City, Mo.; Los Angeles; Miami; Philadelphia; and Washington.
“For almost two decades, the Young Readers program has helped instill a love of reading in children, allowing them to secure a basic building block needed to achieve academic success,” said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. “We are proud to partner with the Verizon Foundation on this valuable program.”  
LNESC Executive Director Richard Roybal said, “The Young Readers program is designed to help children improve their reading skills by utilizing a curriculum that focuses on reading aloud and uses a variety of reading materials including children’s books, magazines and other academic and cultural media.”
In addition, under the $1 million grant, the Young Readers program will begin utilizing Thinkfinity.org. Thinkfinity.org is the Verizon Foundation’s free comprehensive program and online portal to more than 55,000 educational resources, including grade- specific, K-12 lesson plans, and other student interactive activities provided in partnership with 11 of the nation’s leading educational organizations. It also includes the Thinkfinity Literacy Network, which offers teachers, parents and community groups free online courses, best practices and program assessment tools to help improve literacy development for children and adults.
“Thinkfinity.org will give the Young Readers program access to thousands of engaging educational resources to capture the imagination of their students,” said Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston. “The addition of Thinkfinity.org resources to the Young Readers’ already impressive curriculum will give children the tools they need to improve student achievement.” 

— Teachers of Color