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AT&T Funds the St. James Town Public Library Leading to Reading Program
AT&T Funds the St. James Town Public Library Leading to Reading Program
Published 01-20-09
Submitted by AT&T Inc.
TORONTO, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) today announced a contribution of $10,000 to the Toronto Public Library's Leading to Reading program. The donation will allow for the literacy program to continue during the summer months at the St. James Town location -- a high priority neighbourhood in Toronto that is a priority focus for the Toronto Public Library.
Literacy is a major issue facing Canadian society today, with over 24% of all Torontonians unable to read more than simple words or sentences and 40% of Canadians unable to read or write well enough to succeed in school or get a job. Recognizing this as a major cause for concern, AT&T supports the Toronto Public Library's belief that literacy is the key to achieving a better future. Fostering higher literacy levels among Canadians is central to cultivating a stronger future workforce.
Currently, Manulife Financial supports the school year portion of the Leading to Reading program at the St. James Town location. Due to the high-risk and high-priority nature of the community, a need was identified to extend the school year program into the summer months.
"We are very happy to join Manulife Financial as the corporate supporters for the Leading to Reading program at the St. James Town branch," remarked Steven Taylor, Vice President of Sales, AT&T Global Services Canada. "Our company remains committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives and we are thrilled to be participating in a program that will provide an opportunity for these great children to fulfill their vast potential."
The $10,000 donation from the Company will allow the St. James Town branch to run one summer program allowing approximately 40 children (in total) in Grades 2 to 6 with below average reading skills to benefit from one on one tutoring over the summer months. Without this donation, the extended program would not have been possible.
"AT&T's support of Leading to Reading at St. James Town branch will allow the Library to ultimately expand this program to reach out to more children at risk, in a high needs community," stated Heather Rumball, President, Toronto Public Library Foundation. "The children who benefit from Leading to Reading not only improve their reading skills but emerge from the program with an increased sense of self-worth and confidence, able to move forward and fulfill their potential."
The Leading to Reading program was developed in 1979 as the cornerstone literacy program to provide services for children and youth at risk and is one of the Library's top priorities. The program ensures children are given every opportunity to excel in reading and schoolwork and thus develop their sense of self-worth. Geared to primary school aged children who are reading below their grade level, the program has expanded to 40 branches and now helps over 3,000 children annually.
About Philanthropy at AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T supports projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2007, AT&T contributed more than $164 million through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs. AT&T and the AT&T Foundation, the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T, combine more than $1.9 billion of historic charitable commitment to communities.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation's fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation's leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.
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