[NIFL-FAMILY:2113] Toyota Family Literacy Program Expands Nationally

From: Debbie Nichols (dnichols@famlit.org)
Date: Thu Jun 16 2005 - 14:25:13 EDT


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Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:2113] Toyota Family Literacy Program Expands Nationally
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Grant Opportunity for Family Literacy Programs:  The National Center for
Family Literacy (NCFL) is pleased to announce grant opportunities for
expansion of the Toyota Family Literacy Program (TFLP), currently
implemented in 5 cities nationwide and generously funded by Toyota. This new
grant opportunity will provide an additional five school systems/communities
with $350,000 grants to develop family literacy programs in elementary
schools located in predominantly Hispanic communities. As a first step, each
interested school district must complete a Capability Survey which requires
the signature of the school district's superintendent, and it is suggested
that each school system seek the support of  its local mayor in applying.
For more information about applying for this highly competitive opportunity,
log onto NCFL's website at www.famlit.org.

Toyota Family Literacy Program Expands Nationally

$2.97 Million Grant Will Fund Expansion Into Five Additional Cities, Serving
More Immigrant Families 

Louisville, KY (June 15, 2005) - The National Center for Family Literacy
(NCFL) announces the expansion of its groundbreaking Toyota Family Literacy
Program. This expansion is made possible through the incredible generosity
of Toyota Motor North America, a long-time partner of NCFL and supporter of
family literacy. 

Toyota Motor North America's $2.97 million grant will fund the expansion of
the successful Toyota Family Literacy Program into five new communities
across the nation. The Toyota Family Literacy Program provides Hispanic and
other immigrant families with quality family literacy programming, designed
to increase basic language and literacy skills, as well as provide parents
with the specific skills they need to help their children succeed. The
program specifically serves children in kindergarten through third grade and
their parents. 

"Millions of families in the U.S. need literacy opportunities in order to
progress and become active participants in their communities," said Sharon
Darling, NCFL's President and Founder. "Toyota's support of this work will
allow us to serve even more families. This new support is a tremendous
example of Toyota's commitment to community progress and educational
achievement for adults and children."

Communities across the nation are eligible to apply for the opportunity to
develop the program in three elementary school sites per community. Through
a competitive application process,  five cities will be selected to receive
grant funding, training and technical assistance, materials and many other
forms of support from NCFL. 

"Education has always been a top priority for Toyota, and NCFL has continued
to prove that their family approach to learning works," said Hideaki "Harry"
Otaka, President and CEO of Toyota Motor North America. "Our partnership
with NCFL has been a winning formula for families, schools and communities,
which is why we're pleased to play a small role in helping them expand the
Toyota Family Literacy Program."

The first five communities that were selected for the Toyota Family Literacy
Program initiated their programs in Fall 2003. Already, the families served
by the program are achieving impressive results: 
Demand for the program has produced waiting lists at the majority of program
sites; 
By the end of the first program year, 70% of participating families held a
library card; 
Adults made significant literacy gains, moving their literacy scores up one
or more levels; 
Children in the program were rated higher than their peers in overall
academic performance, motivation to learn, attendance, classroom behavior,
involvement in classroom activities, and other areas.   

Since 1989, NCFL has developed family literacy services designed to meet the
nation's most pressing needs. Model programs developed and now implemented
throughout the country assist families in acquiring educational skills while
transitioning into work, and involve disadvantaged parents in the critical
role of working with their elementary and preschool children. This
pioneering work has been acknowledged by the federal government, many
national figures, policy makers, and philanthropists across the nation.  

Working together since 1991, Toyota and NCFL have developed and supported
more than 181 programs in 28 cities through grants and support exceeding $21
million. The programs continue serving families on an annual basis, long
after initial funding has ended, due to program achievements and the success
of families. This partnership has served tens of thousands of families,
helping them progress from undereducation and poverty to academic success
and self-sufficiency. The outcomes of the partnership have influenced
educational policy, program design, and the delivery of services for parents
and children with the least proficient literacy skills throughout the
nation. 

Contact:
Emily Kirkpatrick
National Center for Family Literacy
Office: 502-584-1133
Cell: 502-649-7372
Email: ekirkpatrick@famlit.org 
Web site: www.famlit.org

Mira Sleilati
Toyota Motor North America
Office: 212-715-7435
Cell:  646-932-6128
Email: mira_sleilati@tma.toyota.com
Web site: www.toyota.com



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