OCO Literacy Volunteers Program Receives $2,865 Grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to Support Adult Literacy

Recently, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded OCO Literacy Volunteers Program a $2865 grant to support adult literacy.  This local grant award is part of more than $7.5 million in grants awarded to nearly 900 schools, nonprofits and organizations across the 44 states that Dollar General serves.

Pictured here is OCO's Literacy Volunteer tutor, Bonnie Stanard and student, Liz Miner working together during a tutoring session.

OCO Literacy Volunteers Program Coordinator Meg Henderson stated, “Reading empowers people to move towards their goals.  Strong reading skills are the foundation for success in life.  OCO Literacy Volunteers provides one to one confidential tutoring to adults in Oswego County with low literacy skills.” Henderson added, “Our dedicated volunteers help adults to improve their reading, writing, math and/or English speaking abilities.  Developing these skills helps adults to achieve their employment and educational goals.  They become more involved in their child’s education, they can read to their children, they can read a prescription, they can complete an on-line job application and so much more.  Improving their literacy skills opens up a whole new world of opportunities for them.”  Henderson further commented, “We are very grateful for the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.  This grant money is needed to assist us in providing our volunteer tutors and students with the proper instructional materials.  OCO Literacy Volunteers provides over 2500 of volunteer hours annually.”

Literacy Volunteers (LV) is a program of Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. Education Services. The goal of LV is to provide opportunities for adults to achieve personal freedom by building basic literacy skills at no cost to the student in a confidential environment. Services include Basic Literacy (reading, writing and math), English Language Literacy, Computer Literacy, Financial Literacy, Health Literacy and Workplace Literacy.  The skills students gain help them to become self- reliant.  As a result our community sees the social and economic benefits. For more information about the Literacy Volunteers Program call 315-342-8839, ext. 201 or email lvoswego@oco.org.

“Dollar General is excited to provide these organizations with funding to support literacy and education throughout the 44 states we serve,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s CEO.  “Providing these grants and supporting the communities we call home reflects our mission of Serving Others and it’s rewarding to see the impact these funds have.”

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $135 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 8.6 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy or continued education.

About Oswego County Opportunities, Inc.
Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization providing a variety of services that address self-sufficiency, health, nutrition, housing, education, crisis intervention, transportation and family and skill building to over 20,000 Oswego county residents annually.  More than 92 cents of every dollar received by OCO goes directly to providing services that empower people, support communities and change lives. Established in 1966 OCO employs more than 550 people and has over 60 programs.  Services include care management; health education and services; nutrition; residential services; education and literacy services for children and adults to name just a few. For more information visit www.oco.org

About the Dollar General Literacy Foundation

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education as part of the company’s mission of Serving Others for nearly 25 years.  Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $135 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 8.6 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy or continued education. For more information about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and its grant programs, visit www.dgliteracy.org.

About Dollar General Corporation

Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for over 75 years through its mission of Serving Others. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!® by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at low everyday prices in convenient neighborhood locations. With 13,429 stores in 44 states as of March 3, 2017, Dollar General is among the largest discount retailers in the United States. In addition to high quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America's most-trusted brands such as Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, Unilever, Kellogg's, General Mills, Nabisco, Hanes, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola.

OCO, Inc is a private, non-profit agency that has been supporting communities throughout Oswego County since 1966. A member agency of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, OCO provides more than 50 vital services throughout 100 separate locations.  For more information, visit www.oco.org.