BOSTON – Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy, and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas today announced that the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council (GLCAC) will receive $3,976,257 as part of the Department of Education’s Early Reading First Program.

The funding will be used by the GLCAC’s Early Learning Services program. The Council’s centers will provide services related to early care and education in the Greater Lawrence area, which includes the cities and towns of Lawrence, Methuen, Andover and North Andover.

“You can’t have equal opportunity and upward mobility without a world class education but too often our state’s neediest children don’t get the attention they need to succeed. The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council’s commitment to ensuring all of the region’s children experience better classroom environments and educational programs has made and will continue to make a difference in the lives of countless children,” said Senator Kerry.

“Early childhood education is essential to ensure that children in the Commonwealth are well prepared for school. I commend the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council for its leadership on this fundamental issue. With this grant, the Council will be able to expand its Early Learning Services program to include even more young people in the region,” said Melissa Wagoner, spokeswoman for Senator Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

"Early childhood education is a critically important component of early childhood development and contributes greatly to a child's ability to arrive at school ready to learn and achieve," said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas. "The Council’s GLCAC Early Learning Services program helps provide a comprehensive approach to childhood literacy and educational readiness and I am pleased that the Department of Education has awarded this funding to further support this outstanding initiative."

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