Grant will help tutoring organization reach more students
—— Press Release ——
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (July 19, 2016) — The Tariq Farid Foundation recently announced its support for New Haven Reads with a grant of $10,197. For Tariq Farid, the Founder and CEO of Edible Arrangements, the support is deeply personal.
When Farid recently visited the newest New Haven Reads location with his wife Asma to present the grant, he found a brightly colored, well-lit space where a dozen youth were meeting one-on-one with volunteer tutors for help with reading and literacy. It brought back many memories of attention he was given growing up.
“When I first came to the US, this is what my sixth grade teacher did for me,” said Farid.
“Because of her own kindness and dedication, she met with me after school and helped me learn English and proper pronunciation. She even had snacks for me,” added Farid, as he took special note of the bowls of healthy fruit and cheese sticks available to students. “This is amazing.”
New Haven Reads, founded to “share the joy and power of reading”, tutors over 500 students in grades one through 12 thanks to the dedication of more than 300 trained volunteers. In addition, the organization offers a Pre-K and Kindergarten program, educational family support, and a community book bank that gives away over 130,000 books each year. New Haven Reads offers all of its programs free and the majority of its students come from low income families.
New Haven Reads recently opened its fourth location and Kirsten Levinsohn, Executive Director of New Haven Reads, said the grant from the Tariq Farid Foundation will have a major impact on expanding the organization’s programs.
“Being able to read is truly the foundation for success in school and life,” she said. “The fact that we had 100 children on our wait list weighed heavily on us, so we decided to open a fourth location. We’re thrilled to be able to offer tutoring and support to more students thanks to volunteers and donors like the Tariq Farid Foundation.”
For more information about New Haven Reads, including how to donate or make a difference in the life of a child by volunteering for just one hour a week, visit www.newhavenreads.org.
About The Tariq Farid Foundation:
Founded in 2013 by Tariq Farid, the Founder and CEO of Edible Arrangements, the mission of the Tariq Farid Foundation is to alleviate suffering by providing for the basic needs of food and healthcare, and to improve lives through the support of education and skill development opportunities that enable individuals to reach their full potential. More information on the Tariq Farid Foundation is available at www.tariqfaridfoundation.org.
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