Leitchfield--Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, donated $7,500 to Breckinridge Grayson Programs, Inc. Breckinridge Grayson Programs, Inc., in Leitchfield, is a member agency of Kentucky Head Start. Heart Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs, which serve children from birth to age five, pregnant women, and their families. They are child-focused programs and have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families.

Kathryne H. Goss, state director-public affairs was instrumental in making the local Head Start Program aware of the funding availability. Goss, Max Vincent, local manager-customer operations, and executive director of Breckinridge Grayson Programs, Inc have worked diligently to secure the Verizon grant for the local Head Start Program.

Verizon's grant will be used in targeting the parents of Head Start children in an employment readiness program. The goal of the project is to assist the parents in getting either a first job or a better job. The program combines computer and literacy training to increase work force skills of participants.

"Our business and our country's economy depend on having literate, skilled worker," said Max Vincent, local manager-customer operations. "Verizon is one of the largest employers in the United States. It is to our advantage to promote the value of work force development as a major tool for economic self-sufficiency in building a strong community. We're pleased to be able to partner with an agency such as Breckinridge Grayson Programs. they have a great track record of making a difference in this community."

"This grant will further enable our program to strengthen partnerships with parents to improve the quality of their lives," said Cathy Darst, executive director of Breckinridge Grayson Programs, Inc.

The Verizon Foundation supports a variety of programs that focus on improving literacy, bridging the digital divide, enriching communities through technology and creating a skilled work force. The Foundation promotes partnerships in technology with organizations serving the needs of diverse communities, people with disabilities, and the economically and socially disadvantaged. The Foundation also supports a Volunteer Incentive Program and matching gifts programs for Verizon employees. For more information on the Foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation on the Internet.

An Award Ceremony was held on Thursday, October 18. Bill Carter, Area Manager of Customer Operations at Verizon joined Kathy Goss, Ron Duren, and Max Vincent at the award ceremony. Mayor William Thomason, Judge Executive Gary Logsdon, and Chamber director Caryn Lewis attended the ceremony along with Gary Clemons, Shawna Hack, Bill Dunn, Kerry White, Lucy Lucas, Anna Lou Wilson, Barbara Cross, Larry Hicks and Valerie Laramore.