Yonkers Partners In Education
Wendy R. Nadel, Executive Director
(914) 377-4882

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: April 17, 2009
For More Information Contact: Ellen Cutler Levy
Email: ecutler@ypie.org

Yonkers Partners in Education Expands Family Story Power Literacy Program

Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE), the non-profit education fund working to support the Yonkers Public Schools, has launched its innovative Family Story Power literacy program in seven sites throughout Yonkers. Family Story Power is a six-week program that enables children and their families to read culturally-sensitive literature, learn techniques for getting more out of a book, and create their own stories together. YPIE developed Family Story Power in partnership with LitLife, a company specializing in developing school curricula and professional development. The program was generously funded through a two-year grant from The Edith Glick Shoolman Children's Foundation. The grant also covers dinner for the participants and babysitting services for younger siblings.

“Family Story Power teaches parents and children to communicate through literacy," says Program Coordinator Bettina Weil. “They discuss books, ideas, their values, and their culture. Regardless of their level of education or background, families come together to read and talk about a story, and then learn to tell their own stories. It is fascinating to see the growth of the participants in just six weeks.”

Classes are held at locations that are familiar to the families, such as their local church or community center, and can be run in both English and Spanish, depending on the needs of the families. Volunteer facilitators attend a three-hour training session and are assigned to work in a site for the full six-week program.

YPIE piloted Family Story Power in Fall, 2008, at two sites: Nepperhan Community Center and Riverfront Library. This Spring, YPIE is launching the program at five additional Yonkers locations: San Andres Church, Westhab, Cedar Place Elementary School, Kingdom Baptist Church, and Montessori School 31. Eight to twelve families will participate at each of the seven locations, with classes taking place either after school or on week-ends.

Everyone benefits from this program: the students, their parents, and even the facilitators. “It was a privilege to serve the community and I really enjoyed myself yesterday,” noted Silvia Lopez, one of the facilitators at St. Andres Church. After completing the class last Fall, Rubelina, a parent, commented, "Thank you so much. With you, I had the opportunity to take the time to read and write with my son."

Yonkers Partners in Education is an education fund that works in partnership with the public and private sectors to ensure that all students attending public school in Yonkers receive a high quality education that prepares them for work, college, and success in life.

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