Maryland Senator’s Aide Donates Books

The books were donated by Linda Prochaska, assistant to  U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md. Mrs. Prochaska had visited the Empowerment Center earlier this week to talk to the children about the work of U. S. Senators. 

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On July 28, 2010  the children of the summer program gathered outside to display the books received from Mrs. Prochaska (not pictured). Seen in the back are program workers Mary Smith (on the left), Portia Johnson-Ennels (PSC liaison to Senator Mikulski’s Office) and Ben Saunders.

Regarding the donation of books, Mrs. Prochaska said, “This is a family thing that I do. 

I have twelve different groups that I do books for that are scattered around the mid and upper shore and the children at Pine Street is one of them.” She added her Goddaughter, Lanasia Warner, is attending the program.

She said many of the books were donated by friends and family, and “Preston Elementary School gives me hundreds of books every year.”

“This is a very important gift to the Empowerment Center’s children,” said Octavene Saunders of the PSC. She said education for all the children of Dorchester is an emphasis of the PSC’s Summer Youth Enrichment program.

“For example, once a week we are doing basic math, and this book donation will partner right along with helping the children to keep their minds on their education during their summer vacation,” she said.

She continued, “We’re working with the children to learn and remember their address, phone number and their parent’s name. Sometimes children get lost and they do not know how to tell someone to contact their family. This donation of books will help the children develop these skills.”