PATRINA FOUNDATION AWARDS $10,000 GRANT TO CNR
ESL College Access Program to Benefit Hispanic Women

NEW ROCHELLE, NY, June 13, 2006 –- The College of New Rochelle (CNR) today announced a $10,000 grant from the Patrina Foundation to implement a new ESL (English as a Second Language) College Access program for Hispanic women at its School of New Resources (SNR) Co-Op City campus in the Bronx. The funds will be used for participant recruitment activities, intensive ESL instruction, educational supplies to augment those currently available, and program assessments, for Hispanic women who reside near the College’s campus at 755 Co-op City Boulevard. The program, which will serve 15-25 Hispanic women free of charge, will take place from October 2, 2006 through April 30, 2007.
    
This program is designed to create access to higher education for Hispanic women with limited English proficiency, many of whom are single heads of household, and/or in low paying jobs with limited opportunities for career advancement. SNR’s objective is to prepare women to further their education by providing them with essential English competency and basic computer skills along with academic support services tailored to each participant’s individual level of education and learning needs. 

“The Patrina Foundation is proud to be a part of this important new initiative.  This program exemplifies what our Foundation is all about: serving the social and educational needs of women,” said Mary Jo McLoughlin, Executive Director, Patrina Foundation.

“This grant will provide highly motivated Hispanic women with the opportunity to develop the English language skills and technological literacy they need to meet college entrance requirements and obtain better employment opportunities in the future,” noted Elza Dinwiddie-Boyd, Dean of SNR.  “We believe that our partnership with The Patrina Foundation furthers our mutual commitment to creating new opportunities aimed at improving the lives of women and their families.”

According to the US Census Bureau 2000 Report, 115,948 people currently reside in Bronx Community District 10 (in which the Co-Op City campus is located).  Residents of Hispanic origin, amounting to 26.6% of the local population, grew by 76.1% from 1990 to 2000. This large increase can be attributed to the influx of immigrants throughout the area, many of whom lack English proficiency, and have limited education and job skills.  Among the district’s population, 19,374 (16.7%) received various forms of income support such as Public Assistance, Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid.

The Patrina Foundation was founded in 1990 by Mrs. Lorinda de Roulet as a family foundation.  From the beginning, the foundation has sought to promote the educational opportunities and advance scholarship by and about women. Today, the foundation has expanded its scope to include support of social programs and to improve the lives of girls and women.  Focusing its efforts in the Northeast, Patrina Foundation grants promote curriculum development and research in women's studies and support projects that prepare girls and women to meet the professional and personal challenges in their lives.
    
The College of New Rochelle School of New Resources has graduated more than 15,000 adult learners to date with baccalaureate liberal arts degrees.  More than 51 percent of SNR graduates have gone on to obtain advanced degrees at more than 34 colleges and universities nationwide and many hold senior management positions in the public and private sectors.  SNR currently serves 4,500 adult students on six campuses with an 86-member, full-time administrative and instructional staff as well as a 500-member, part-time staff.  The School has been recognized internationally as a model for adult education.  Students at SNR benefit from relaxed, conversational classrooms and flexible class schedules, while earning a college degree in their own community.