Literacy Coalition Sponsors Dessert at Oswego County Help Me Grow Launch Celebration
On May 7th, Oswego County Help Me Grow (OCHMG) held a launch celebration at the Curtis Manor in Oswego. This initiative was made possible by the Oswego County Early Childhood Alliance (OCECA) under the division of Integrated Community Planning of Oswego County, Inc. (ICPOC). Literacy Coalition of Oswego County is a proud sponsor and supporter of both initiatives with their focus on families with children ages birth to five. What is Help Me Grow? By calling 211 and asking for Oswego County Help Me Grow, families will then be connected to local resources that address their needs and concerns. Their mission, aligned to the mission of the Literacy Coalition of Oswego County, is to help families increase their quality of life so they can be successful right here in Oswego County. Want to learn more about Oswego County Help Me Grow? Click here to follow on Facebook.
Meet Paul Forestiere- LCOC Member
Paul Forestiere was recently presented with a $1,000 donation to LCOC by the Fulton Lions club for his dedication as an exemplary Lion. He recently held the Lions District 20-Y governor position and traveled around the state advocating for literacy.
Where do you work, how long have you been there and what is your job title?
I am the Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County and have been at my job for almost 27 years. The mission of Cooperative Extension throughout the United States is to provide research-based information directly to the people of the communities we serve. The federal laws that originally created our organizational mission were signed by President Abraham Lincoln. We’ve been serving the public for many, many years.
Why did you become involved in LCOC?
Many years ago, Cooperative Extension in Oswego County received a grant for the federal Even Start Family Literacy Program; we asked Oswego County BOCES to partner with us and we ran the program for over six years. The program ended when the federal funding was removed by congress. It was a huge success for many in Oswego County and positively impacted both youth and adults. It was during that time that I realized the importance of literacy and the impact that the ability to read has on an individual.
What are you most proud of as a member of LCOC?
I am very happy that LCOC is actively engaged with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and have actively supported our participation in the program.
What would you like to see next for LCOC?
I am hopeful that we can continue to increase the number of youth involved in Imagination Library – it’s a great program.
What's the title of the last book you read?
I tend to read books based on history and/or factual events. My last book was “The Will to See: Dispatches from a World of Misery and Hope.” The author is Bernard Henri-Levy, a French journalist.
What brings you joy?Knowing that someone’s actions, no matter how small, can help make another person’s life a little better.
I also enjoy spending time with my family.
Where can you find us?
Visit our website at: https://www.literacycoalitionofoswegocounty.com/
