Litnet Receives Major Gift From Lenox Family Foundation to Expand U.s. Citizenship Program
Lee, Mass. (July 27, 2018) — The Literacy Network of South Berkshire (LitNet) announces the receipt of a $50,000 gift from the Matthew and Hannah Keator Family Foundation to enhance LitNet’s citizenship program and expand its reach. LitNet’s president, Lucy Prashker, stated, “We are enormously grateful to Matthew and Hannah Keator for their generous and deep commitment to helping our students clear the financial hurdles that lie along their path to U.S. citizenship. This gift will greatly enhance our citizenship assistance program, allowing many more of our students to achieve this profound, life-changing goal.”
As both multi-generational residents of the Berkshires, Matthew and Hannah were inspired by LitNet’s exceptional track record and the people associated with its organization. They were eager to commit resources to strengthen LitNet’s efforts to help students achieve their dream of attaining U.S. citizenship. The Keators explained, “We salute LitNet of Berkshire County for their efforts in helping people to learn the English language. In addition, we want to support the assistance they provide to those who share the dream of becoming citizens. That pursuit is something we encourage and celebrate.”
In the coming months, LitNet will be expanding its existing citizenship training and support program including: providing enhanced access to information and study materials by improving online resources, offering specialized tutor training, and growing collaborations with other local agencies that serve the immigrant population. The cornerstone of this project will be the creation of a scholarship program to defray the cost of the application process, which typically runs more than $700. This most generous gift from the Foundation will help more LitNet students pass the challenging examination and enter fully into the life of the Berkshire community as American citizens.
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LitNet’s mission is to transform the lives of adult learners, both immigrant and U.S.-born, through the power of literacy, education, and advocacy. LitNet provides free, individualized, one-on-one instruction in reading, high-school equivalency test preparation, English for Speakers of Other Languages, and citizenship test preparation. LitNet’s professional staff and trained team of volunteer tutors also offer generalized educational support and promote access to a network of community resources. Learn more about how to support LitNet’s mission at www.litnetsb.org. LitNet is a privately-funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE AN INTERVIEW, KINDLY CONTACT:
Merle Kailas, LitNet Board — (917) 842-3581
