Reading Together At Home initiative receives $5,000

 

A Via of the Lehigh Valley program that helps Allentown children be better prepared for school is getting some financial help from the PPL Foundation.

The Reading Together At Home program, which provides early literacy skills instruction and support to parents and children under six who reside in the city of Allentown, has been awarded $5,000.

Learning early pre-reading and reading skills, starting at birth, helps a child’s overall ability to read, write and learn. Through weekly home-based visits, Via literacy specialists introduce and reinforce the skills necessary for emergent literacy so parents increase their level of involvement in reading to their children. This program is free to families who live in Allentown and skills are taught in a fun, interactive way.

The PPL Foundation awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process. “PPL is committed to improving the communities where our customers and employees live and work,” said Carol Obando-Derstine, regional affairs director for PPL Electric Utilities. “High quality early childhood

education for our community’s children today will help them be prepared for high-quality jobs tomorrow.”

About the PPL Foundation:

Through strategic partnerships, the PPL Foundation will support organizations that are working to create vibrant, sustainable communities and empowering each citizen to fulfill her or his potential. The PPL Foundation contributes more than $3 million annually to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.pplcares.com

About Via of the Lehigh Valley

Serving our community since 1952, Via helps the people we serve to reach their full potential. Via gives children a chance for early success through speech, occupational and physical therapy. Via helps people find jobs in our community that leave them satisfied and fulfilled. And Via helps people, from teens to retirement, connect and live in their community by volunteering and participating in recreational activities. Visit www.ViaNet.org to learn more about Via’s services.

Information provided to TVL by:
Jillian Lovejoy
Communications & Director
Via of the Lehigh Valley
http://www.ViaNet.org/

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