The Provident Bank Foundation Issues Grant to Preschool Advantage

Preschool Advantage is pleased to announce that it has been selected by The Provident Bank Foundation as a 2019 recipient of the Foundation’s Community Grant program. Lucio Valerio, First Vice President and Market Manager of Provident Bank, presented the $3,000 check to Executive Director Molly Dunn and Board President Adrienne Kirby. The grant will help fund a half-day school year of tuition for a child in need to attend preschool at one of Preschool Advantage’s 24 high-quality partner schools in Morris and Somerset Counties.

Students from struggling families face a huge disadvantage when they arrive in kindergarten without a preschool preparation – a disadvantage that follows them throughout their education. Preschool prepares students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in school. Without this preparation, students are behind academically, socially, and emotionally from day one of their education, and often, they never catch up. Preschool Advantage strives to level the playing field between children whose families can afford to send them to preschool and those who cannot, with the goal that all children begin kindergarten with the tools they need for success.

This fall, Preschool Advantage has sent a record 104 students to preschool. “It is only thanks to supporters like The Provident Bank Foundation that we are able to make an impact in the lives of these students, and their families,” says Molly Dunn, Executive Director at Preschool Advantage. “We know that there are more families than ever in need of help with the high cost of preschool tuition, and we are glad to be able to increase the number of students we are able to send to preschool this year.”

“The Provident Bank Foundation’s Community Grants are awarded to community-based organizations to increase their access to funding and strengthen capacity,” says Jane Kurek, Executive Director of The Provident Bank Foundation. “We are pleased to provide this grant to Preschool Advantage, which will increase access to early childhood education for our littlest learners and set them up for a lifetime of success.”

More information about Preschool Advantage and The Provident Bank Foundation can be found below.

About Preschool Advantage:

Preschool Advantage is a non-profit organization with the vision that all children should have access to high quality early education. Since its inception almost 25 years ago, Preschool Advantage has sent over 1,000 students to preschool, many for two years. For more information about Preschool Advantage, including information about how to apply for assistance with preschool tuition, please call Preschool Advantage at (973) 532-2501 or visit www.preschooladvantage.org.

About The Provident Bank Foundation

The Provident Bank Foundation was established in 2003 by Provident Bank to enhance the quality of life in the region through support of not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services in communities served by the Bank. Since inception, the Foundation has granted more than $24 million to not-for-profit organizations and institutions working toward stronger communities.