Stachowski Announces State Grant for Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo and Erie County

STACHOWSKI ANNOUNCES STATE GRANT FOR
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY 

January 22, 2010
 
Senator William Stachowski joined Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo and Erie County's Executive Director Christopher Gibas, at the Squier House, the home of Literacy Volunteers, to announce a $50,000 Legislative Grant for the literacy service group.
 
Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo and Erie County serves over 250 adults and 200 children with 215 non-paid volunteers by providing one-on-one tutoring, afterschool programs, youth detention center classes and supplemental educational services.
 
“The illiteracy rate in Buffalo stands at a shocking 30%, and in Erie County it is 20%, well above the national average,” said Senator Stachowski. “This grant will allow Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo and Erie County to continue their fight to change those staggering numbers. This organization works to improve the quality of life for the residents of Buffalo and Erie County. Functional literacy is a necessity to move this area forward, allowing us to compete for jobs and our future.”
 
“This funding will ensure our longevity and anchor our presence in the community,” said Christopher Gibas Executive Director. “It will allow us to expand our Quickspeak program, add new computer hardware and software, and add new texts to our library.”
 
The mission of the Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo and Erie County is to improve the well being of Families and Children in Western New York by providing free reading, English language and literacy services to anyone seeking help.
 
The $50,000 state grant will be used to continue the operation of the Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo and Erie County, which includes the purchase of a work station, office furniture, library texts, improving the tutor lending library, and expend the Quickspeak literacy program for non-native English speaking students and professionals.