Hunter’s “Project READ East Harlem” Wins Support from a Major New Philanthropy

The New York Community Trust (NYCT) has announced that Hunter is receiving one of the first grants ever awarded by the newly established Brooke Astor Funds for New York City Education. The $300,000 grant, administered by NYCT, supports a pioneering Hunter program in three East Harlem elementary schools. In that program, faculty from the School of Education will train second-grade teachers to provide strong, effective reading instruction - particularly to the community's large number of children who don't speak English at home.

Financed by the estate of the famous New York philanthropist, the Brooke Astor Funds support programs that develop creative ways to help disadvantaged children thrive and learn. In a rigorous selection process, a distinguished advisory panel of educational leaders and scholars chose Hunter as a deserving inaugural recipient.

"We're thrilled that our program has been recognized for its innovation and promise," said Jennifer Tuten, associate professor of literacy education and chair of the Department of Curriculum and Teaching. "Brooke Astor was devoted to the dream of enabling all New York City children to read and write well. It's wonderful to have our work funded in her name."

Working with Professor Tuten on the East Harlem project are Hunter faculty members Ann Ebe, Sherryl Browne Graves and Amy Lachuk, and clinical fieldwork director Ileana Infante. They plan to begin working with teachers in the participating schools this January.

12/20/2013