News & Events
Download a PDF version of this press release here: TLC Cummings Grant press rel – 6-4-18
The Literacy Connection, A Ministry of The Sisters of St. Joseph, awarded $100,000
Boston nonprofit receives Cummings Foundation grant
BRIGHTON, June 4, 2018 – The Literacy Connection, a ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston, is one of the 100 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 each through Cummings Foundation’s 100k for 100 program. The Boston-based organization was chosen from a total of 597 applicants, during a competitive review process.
The Literacy Connection is a ministry started by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston. Now, in its 31st year of serving immigrants in Boston, we continue to provide one on one ESOL and literacy tutoring along with citizenship preparation for adults in the spirit of helping the “dear neighbor.”
Representing The Literacy Connection, a ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston, Director Jill Uchiyama and Assistant Director Sister Pat Andrews, CSJ, will join approximately 300 other guests at a reception at TradeCenter 128 in Woburn to celebrate the $10 million infusion into Greater Boston’s nonprofit sector. With the conclusion of this grant cycle, Cummings Foundation has now awarded more than $220 million to Greater Boston nonprofits alone.
Thank you with all of our heart! -The Literacy Connection
“We are thrilled to be the recipients of the Cummings Foundation’s generosity for the next 5 years as our organization expands. Because of this award, our plan is to grow our adult education network in Boston, offering essential referrals and placements for adults who are in the most need of flexible scheduled tutoring sessions, one on one educational and literacy needs, and citizenship preparation. By expanding our tutor base and online presence, we plan to be able to help many more students who are currently in danger of not being served,” commented Jill Uchiyama.
The $100k for 100 program supports nonprofits that are based in and primarily serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties. Through this place-based initiative, Cummings Foundation aims to give back in the area where it owns commercial buildings, all of which are managed, at no cost to the Foundation, by its affiliate Cummings Properties. Founded in 1970 by Bill Cummings of Winchester, the Woburn-based commercial real estate firm leases and manages 11 million square feet of space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation.
“We are indebted to the nonprofit organizations like The Literacy Connection that have a meaningful positive impact on the local communities where our colleagues and clients live and work,” said Joel Swets, Cummings Foundation’s executive director. “We are delighted to invest in their important programs and services.”
This year’s diverse group of grant recipients represents a wide variety of causes, including homelessness prevention and affordable housing, education, violence prevention, and food insecurity. Most of the grants will be paid over two to five years. The complete list of 100 grant winners will be available June 7 at www.CummingsFoundation.org.
Cummings Foundation announced an additional $10 million in early May through its new Sustaining Grants, which extend $100k for 100 funding for previous winners for 10 more years. Beginning in 2019, the Foundation will increase its total giving through these two programs from $20 million to $25 million.
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About The Literacy Connection
The Literacy Connection was established by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston in 1987 to help low-income, adult immigrants and refugees to learn English and become citizens so they may improve the quality of their lives, become economically self-sufficient, and participate fully in the lives of the families and the community. As a volunteer-driven program, it is also the only program in Allston-Brighton offering free individual and small group tutoring sessions for low-income adult immigrants and refugees during weekday mornings and afternoons year round.
About Cummings Foundation
Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings. The Foundation directly operates its own charitable subsidiaries, including New Horizons retirement communities in Marlborough and Woburn. Bill Cummings released his self-written memoir, “Starting Small and Making It Big: An Entrepreneur’s Journey to Billion-Dollar Philanthropist,” in March 2018. Additional information is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org and cummings.com/book.
Contact: Jill Uchiyama, The Literacy Connection, 617-746-2100, jill.uchiyama@csjboston.org
Contact: Kerry Crisley, Cummings Foundation, 781-932-7093, kac@cummings.com