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March 23, 2007

Pat McGuckin
Henry Haupt

Jesse White Awards Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy Grants

SPRINGFIELD – Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has awarded nearly $250,000 to 53 organizations taking part in this year's Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy Program.

The program, created by Secretary White to honor the late State Senator from Decatur, provides instructional service to enhance the basic reading, math, writing or language skills of both parents and children during the summer, a time in which many other educational programs are closed. Services include interactive, reciprocal learning experiences that parents and children participate in together. Individual grants are awarded to educational agencies such as libraries, community colleges, community-based organizations, school districts and volunteer literacy organizations.

"This is the ninth year my office has awarded Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy grants," said White. "I am proud that these grants provide important learning activities for families during times when other learning programs may not be operating."

Parents and their children who want to improve their reading and learning skills need to have access to quality educational programs all year long. This program fulfills that need while bringing parents and children closer together. In 2006, almost 1,500 parents and more than 2,500 children took part in Penny Severns summer programs administered by local providers.

White noted Illinois has an outstanding network of community-based learning programs that are making a real difference in the lives of citizens who want to achieve their utmost potential in life by improving their reading and other learning skills.

"Penny Severns would be thrilled that our learning programs in Illinois continue to flourish, and I am honored to keep her memory alive by awarding these grants each year," said White

List of Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy Grants