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BIDDEFORD, Maine

Barbara Bush Foundation announces family literacy support at event at UNE

At a ceremony held today at the George and Barbara Bush Center on the University of New England Biddeford Campus, Former First Lady Barbara Bush announced awards totaling $310,000 to 14 communities in Maine to support her passion for parents and children reading and learning together. 

The awards were awarded through the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, which funds local programs focused on reading, writing and language comprehension.

"The ability to read, write and comprehend empowers people to create brighter and more prosperous futures for themselves, their families and their communities," said Mrs. Bush.

Applications were submitted by libraries, adult education programs, and public schools across the state. Representatives from each program accepted grant awards from Mrs. Bush and Doro Bush Koch, co-chair of the Barbara Bush Foundation.  They were joined by U.S. Senator Susan Collins, First Lady Ann LePage and University of New England President Danielle Ripich, Ph.D.

In addition, in a surprise announcement, Doro Bush Koch awarded the first Barbara Bush Foundation College Scholarship Fund award to Michelle and Tony Lucas, noting their hard work "in the classroom, at jobs, and at home raising two daughters."   This new scholarship is awarded to some of the state's most deserving family literacy students.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.