Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County is happy to announce the expansion of the Everybody WINS! Power Lunch program with support from a $2,500 grant from First Niagara Foundation. According to Peter Cosgrove, Sr. Director of Corporate Banking, “First Niagara is committed to doing all we can to make our community a place where all our citizens have opportunities to learn, to grow and to achieve their dreams. We are confident that our investment in your organization (Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County) will advance the excellent work you do and make a meaningful difference in this community.”
Everybody WINS! Power Lunch is an innovative literacy and mentoring program that increases children’s chances for success in school and in life. The aim of the program is to increase children’s interest in books and their prospects for school success through reading experiences with caring adults. The Power Lunch program pairs elementary school children one-to-one with volunteer mentors from local businesses, colleges and the community to read aloud once a week during lunchtime. Everybody WINS! takes place at School 14, Sacred Heart and Unity Sunshine Pre-K School in Troy, Arbor Hill Elementary and Sheridan Prep Academy in Albany, and A. Lansing Elementary School in Cohoes.
Our volunteer mentors represent a variety of businesses and educational institutional settings including Pitney Bowes, the RPI Men’s Lacrosse Team, Aflac New York, Turner Construction, First Niagara, HVCC, Sage Colleges, Key Bank, Canon, SEFCU, and Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte as well as many community members.