SAD 57:

Maine School Administration District 57 accepted a $25,000 grant Monday from former first lady Barbara Bush to support programs to improve literacy skills of parents and their children.

The district was one of 21 schools, libraries and other organizations benefiting from 12 $25,000 grants from The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy’s Maine Family Literacy Initiative, or MEFLI.

MSAD 57 will use its grant to support Joy in Reading Together, a family literacy partnership being introduced between Massabesic Center for Adult Learning and the Waterboro Head Start.

Bush awarded the grant at a June 22 ceremony at the J. Richard Martin Community Center in Biddeford.

“The abilities to read, write and comprehend enable people to create brighter and more prosperous futures for themselves, their families and their communities,” she said. “The staff and volunteers with the MEFLI programs are making a wonderful difference in many lives, and I am grateful for their work to make Maine a more literate state.”

SAD 61:

Maine School Administration District 61 accepted a $25,000 grant Monday from former first lady Barbara Bush to support programs to improve literacy skills of parents and their children.

The district was one of 21 schools, libraries and other organizations benefiting from 12 $25,000 grants from The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy’s Maine Family Literacy Initiative, or MEFLI.

Money received by MSAD 61 will support the Western Maine Family Literacy Program, which builds upon services provided to low-income families and expands the Pequawket Family Literacy Program to Bridgton, Sebago, Casco, and Naples.

Bush awarded the grant at a June 22 ceremony at the J. Richard Martin Community Center in Biddeford.

“The abilities to read, write and comprehend enable people to create brighter and more prosperous futures for themselves, their families and their communities,” she said. “The staff and volunteers with the MEFLI programs are making a wonderful difference in many lives, and I am grateful for their work to make Maine a more literate state.”

Westbrook School Department:

The Westbrook School Department accepted a $25,000 grant Monday from former first lady Barbara Bush to support programs to improve literacy skills of parents and their children.

The department was among 21 schools, libraries and other organizations benefiting from 12 $25,000 grants from The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy’s Maine Family Literacy Initiative, or MEFLI.

Westbrook school officials plan to use the grant to support the Improving Family Literacy program, which combines home-based and site-based literacy services for parents and children of English as a Second Language and low-income families. Adult family members will also learn about GED and high school diploma courses of study and have a transition plan in place when academically ready.

Bush awarded the grant at a June 22 ceremony at the J. Richard Martin Community Center in Biddeford.

“The abilities to read, write and comprehend enable people to create brighter and more prosperous futures for themselves, their families and their communities,” said Bush. “The staff and volunteers with the MEFLI programs are making a wonderful difference in many lives, and I am grateful for their work to make Maine a more literate state.”