June 4, 2008

Contact: Richard Symchak – 837-8032

PASCUA CENTER YOUTH READING PROGRAM

EARNS NATIONAL HONORS

The youth reading partnership among the Pascua Neighborhood Center, 785 W. Sahuaro, Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Libraries Ltd. will be honored with a 2008 Program Excellence Award in Washington D. C. June 16-18 from Reading Is Fundamental, Inc.

The local program is among 25 being honored for partnership excellence in promoting children’s literacy in local communities and helping children and families discover the joy of reading. Honorees represent the best from a pool of 3,500 RIF programs around the country.

Representing the City of Tucson and Pascua Center at the ceremonies will be Rebecca Tapia, Center supervisor.

The local program at the Pascua Center began book distribution in February 1990 and has since distributed a total of 73,357 books to young readers. Over the years the program has expanded to include the Pascua Yaqui Reservation, various Yaqui feeder school libraries and Hohokam Middle School.

Books with a cultural connection are the focus of the local program that features guest speakers and teen role models, including older students from local middle and high schools.

For more information contact the Pascua Center at 791-4609 or Elena d'Autromont at Libraries, Ltd., 997-9950.