The Story Room at CazCares is pleased to announce that it has received a generous grant from the Central New York Community Foundation. The funds—awarded through a competitive application and review process—will support a project to upgrade the Story Room.
Sponsored by the Cazenovia Public Library, the Story Room is an early literacy initiative that provides preschool children with the opportunity to develop foundational pre-literacy skills through language-rich guided play, read-aloud experiences, and learning activities. CazCares is a non-profit organization that provides food, clothing, and referral services to low-income families in Cazenovia and surrounding areas. The two programs have a unique partnership, as is evidenced by the slogan, “We stock LITERACY in our food pantry!”
The Story Room will apply the Community Foundation grant to create a more convenient and comfortable learning environment for pre-k skill development. Funds will be used to obtain new furniture, learning materials, and storage, as well as to expand the Story Room to allow for the creation of separate spaces for science activities, a water and sand play area, and an expanded reading and literacy area. The remodel is scheduled for completion in time for the Story Room’s Summer Program, beginning June 26, 2017.
Established in 1927, the Central New York Community Foundation encourages local philanthropy by supporting the growth of permanent charitable endowments for the betterment of the region. The Community Foundation is the largest charitable foundation in the region with assets of nearly $190 million. It awarded $9.9 million in grants last year to nonprofit organizations and since its inception has invested more than $135 million in the community. The Community Foundation serves as the steward of charitable legacies for individuals, families and businesses through the administration of nearly 700 funds. The organization also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of special initiatives designed to strengthen local nonprofits and address the region’s most pressing challenges. For more information, visit https://cnycf.org/home.