For General Release

Contact: Mercier Literacy Program

George Mercier, Board President

99D Ridgeland Road

Rochester, NY 14623

585-424-3338 Office

585-424-3010 Fax

Established real estate investor partners up with Nazareth College to launch a new non-

profit in Rochester.

Mercier Literacy Program will help inner-city children improve their reading skills.

Rochester, New York – George Mercier is using his own personal resources to reach out to

inner-city children with poor reading skills. In collaboration with the Graduate School of

Literacy at Nazareth College, Mercier and Graduate Director Dr. Naomi Erdmann have

developed a specific program to address the growing problem in the City of Rochester.

Children in grades K-6 are taught on an individual basis and in small groups by certified

teachers. The program offers access to the latest teaching strategies and resources. During their

participation, children receive new books, writing supplies and healthy snacks. Nazareth

graduate students conduct fieldwork to support and enhance the program.

Poor reading skills among children in Rochester is one reason the high school graduation rate

remains below 50 percent. “It’s no surprise Rochester continues to have one of the highest

poverty rates in the country,” according to founder George Mercier. “If you can’t read, you can’t

study and you won’t be able to find a good job. This in turn puts more economic pressure on the

rest of the community. It’s a lifetime cost.” Children who can’t read are also more likely to

commit crimes, become pregnant and affiliate themselves with a gang.

While Mr. Mercier is generously donating his resources to establish the new program, he is also

asking for other donors to step forward to help maintain the program. Costs include paying for

teachers and buying books and supplies for children. Please call or email for more information or

to schedule an interview.

mercierliteracy@hotmail.com

www.mercierliteracy.com

http://facebook.com/mercierliteracyforchildren

http://twitter.com/mercierliteracy

http://linkedin.com/in/mercierliteracy

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