Senator Terry Gipson Celebrates Early Literacy Awareness and National Health Center Week in Poughkeepsie

Terry Gipson

August 13, 2013

For Immediate Release: August 13, 2013
Media Contact: Jonathan Heppner | 845.463.0840 | heppner@nysenate.gov

SENATOR TERRY GIPSON CELEBRATES EARLY LITERACY AWARENESS AND
NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK IN POUGHKEEPSIE

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – On Monday, August 12, New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) celebrated Early Literacy Awareness and National Health Center Week (August 11-17) in partnership with Reach Out and Read of Greater New York and Hudson River HealthCare, Inc. Senator Gipson toured the health center, spoke with staff and read to children in the waiting room at the Poughkeepsie Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie.

“Promoting early literacy and ensuring access to quality healthcare for every child and family is imperative for the success of our community,” said Senator Gipson. “The children were great, and really excited about reading. I also want to thank the wonderful staff at the Family Partnership Center for their commitment and hard work.”

Reach Out and Read of Greater New York partners with pediatricians to provide free, new books to New York’s neediest children and literacy guidance to their parents, with an emphasis on encouraging parents to read aloud with their children every day for brain development and success in school. Reach Out and Read of Greater New York’s programs are located in over 180 hospitals and health centers in New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley.

Hudson River HealthCare, Inc. is a network of 25 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), including the Family Partnership Center, serving 10 counties in the Hudson Valley and Long Island. Their mission is to increase access to comprehensive primary and preventative health care and to improve the health status of our community, especially for the underserved and vulnerable.

Concluded Senator Gipson: “I am happy to join these organizations in their efforts. The more we do today for the education and health of our children, the better our community will be tomorrow, and for future generations.”

--CLICK HERE FOR A PUBLISHABLE PHOTO--