IP Foundation supports Cradle to College initiative

NATCHITOCHES - The International Paper Foundation presented a literacy grant of $1,000 to the Cradle to College service-learning initiative at Northwestern State University. Funds will be used to purchase materials for literacy bags that are given to at-risk children in the Natchitoches area. The Cradle to College initiative provides youngsters and their families with literacy activities, resources and support so they can engage in reading and play activities at home. Dr. Michelle Fazio-Brunson spearheads the project that began as an intervention initiative aimed at redirecting at-risk children who are statistically more likely to be incarcerated later in life. Students and faculty in the School of Education collect, organize and distribute the literacy bags at no charge to recipients. The project has been an important component of the NSU student experience for several years. From left are Dr. Neeru Deep, dean of the College of Education and Human Development; Dr. Katrina Jordan, director of the School of Education; Alexa Steele, communications coordinator at the IP Red River Mill; Fazio-Brunson, Cameron Brunson and Alysia Jones, director of NSU's Office of Sponsored Programs. The IP Foundation has previously supported NSU's College of Education and Human Development through grants that provide resources and support to students and faculty.