Duke Energy Grant
PRESS RELEASE
October 23, 2014
Contact: Reginald Hodges
Phone: (919) 489 8383
Email: rhodges@durhamliteracy.org
www.durhamliteracy.org
DURHAM LITERACY CENTER
RECEIVES GRANT FROM DUKE ENERGY
The Durham Literacy Center has received a grant in the amount of $9,999 from Duke Energy through the Duke Energy Foundation. The grant will be used for books, reference materials and software while enabling the Durham Literacy Center to expand basic literacy and job finding services.
The new initiative will provide disadvantaged Durham residents with skills needed to secure and retain employment. Part of the program will be implemented in the East Durham (10.01 Census blocks) identified by Mayor Bill Bell as targets for concentrated poverty alleviation initiatives. The functional illiteracy rate in the designated area is estimated as high as 40 percent. The primary site will be the Durham Literacy Center at 1905 Chapel Hill Rd., Durham N.C. The target population groups will be unemployed and underemployed individuals living in poverty. Most are African-American and Latinos. Many have minimal education resulting in low-level literacy skills. This population group spends longer periods of time looking for work and securing a stable income.
“Every individual, regardless of race or situation in life has a right to learn to read. Literacy is the bridge to a better life,” said Reginald Hodges, Durham Literacy Center Executive Director.
“We’re proud to be part of expanding opportunities to some of Durham’s most underserved communities,” said Indira Everett, Duke Energy’s community relations manager.
The mission of the Durham Literacy Center is to empower Durham County residents who want to improve their lives and the lives of their families by improving their literacy skills.
The Duke Energy Foundation actively works to improve the quality of life in its communities, lending expertise in the form of leadership and philanthropic support to charitable organizations. Duke Energy has long been committed to building and supporting the communities in which its customers and employees live and work.