Verizon Foundation Awards $5,000 Grant to The College Crusade of Rhode Island

Gift helps to fund Saturday reading program for sixth graders

Michele Cinquegrano of Verizon presents a check for $5,000 to Todd Flaherty, President & CEO of The College Crusade of Rhode Island, during a study-skills class for sixth-grade students.

Providence, R.I., August 5, 2010 – The College Crusade of Rhode Island announced it has received a grant of $5,000 from the Verizon Foundation. Michele Cinquegrano, Regional Director of External Affairs for Verizon, presented a check to Todd D. Flaherty, President & CEO of The College Crusade, at an award ceremony held on August 5, 2010, at the Community College of Rhode Island, Liston Campus, Providence.

Ms. Cinquegrano visited The College Crusade’s summer study-skills program, called Ways to A’s, and spoke to a class of sixth graders. “The Verizon Foundation is proud to support you in your academic efforts,” she told the students. “If you work hard and stay in school, you will achieve success. Focusing in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math will lead you to that success and jobs that pay well; you are our future scientists, engineers and leaders.”

The grant from the Verizon Foundation supports The College Crusade’s Adventures in Literacy program, which engages dozens of sixth-grade students in multidisciplinary reading and learning activities on Saturdays throughout the school year. Staffed by a team of teaching professionals, Adventures in Literacy utilizes a computer-assisted curriculum called ReadAbout, from Scholastic, Inc., which includes quiet reading, writing in response to text, and teacher-guided sessions.

About The College Crusade of Rhode Island
Now celebrating its 20th year, The College Crusade of Rhode Island is the state’s most comprehensive college-readiness and scholarship program for middle school and high school students in low-income urban school districts. It serves approximately 3,500 students per year and rewards their efforts and achievements with up to four years of college scholarships. From grade 6 through grade 12, Crusaders experience the steady, nurturing presence of caring adults and participate in activities that focus on academic enrichment, social and personal development, career awareness and exploration, and readiness for college. Since 2001, The College Crusade has awarded over $22 million in college scholarships to more than 2,800 graduates from Rhode Island high schools. For more information, please visit www.thecollegecrusade.org.

The College Crusade is a nonprofit organization funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s GEAR UP program, by the State of Rhode Island, and by private corporations, foundations, and individuals.

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