Kindergartners who are at risk for developing reading problems are receiving additional resources to help prevent early reading failure and to make reading fun. Verizon awarded $50,000 to Loyola Marymount University’s literacy and reading intervention program, “The Bookworm Project.” Created by Judith Foy, a psychology professor, the program provides kindergarteners with intensive supplementary reading instruction in a fun and positive environment. Verizon’s funding makes possible additional training, supervision and mentoring of teachers and tutors, and the expansion of the program to more schools.

“We work with underserved children in our local schools and help to develop their literacy skills,” said Foy. “With Verizon’s support, we can continue making our instructional materials available free to schools, which will help more young students learn to read.”

If you and your corporation or foundation are interested in partnering with Loyola Marymount University, please contact the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations.