News

North Texas Future Fund Announces Nominees, Winners of the Inaugural Bridge Awards
April 1, 2009

IRVING, TEXAS – The North Texas Future Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to solving critical issues affecting North Texas’ growth, announced the nominees and winners of the inaugural NTFF Bridge Awards. The nominees and winners will be honored at the NTFF Bridge Awards and Recognition Luncheon on April 7, 2009 at 11:15 a.m. at the Renaissance Worthington Hotel in Fort Worth. Erma Johnson Hadley, vice chancellor of Tarrant County College, will serve as the keynote speaker of the luncheon.

“The North Texas Future Fund Bridge Awards honors those that diligently work to raise the literacy levels of many people in our community,” said Dan S. Petty, president and CEO of the North Texas Commission. “Illiteracy is a silent struggle for many; we will pay tribute to the individuals who bring a better life for their neighbors and the community.”

The North Texas Future Fund will honor individuals, literacy providers, organizations and corporations who have made significant contributions to improving literacy in North Texas. Winners of the inaugural NTFF Bridge Awards are:

Individual Advocate:

J.R. Labbe, Editorial Page Editor for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram . As one of Fort Worth’s “community assets,” Ms. Labbe has worked tirelessly promoting adult literacy with the Rotary Club of Fort Worth and by serving on the Adult Literacy Advisory Board of the United Way of Metropolitan Tarrant County and was the first president of the Tarrant Literacy Coalition.

John and Rosetta Walz, Coordinators for English Equals Opportunit y. The Walzes have coordinated the McKinney Public Library System’s program for the past three and a half years with 75 students per semester participating.

Community Advocate:

Literacy Instruction for Texas (LIFT) . In a 12 month period ending in January 2009, LIFT served more than 8,000 adults in its classes. In addition, the program provides GED training in 13 North Texas locations with more than 700 low literate adults participating.

Rotary Club of Fort Worth . The Rotary Club of Fort Worth has adopted adult literacy as its major issue. To support this, the club sponsored the first Tarrant County Corporate Spelling Bee supporting the Tarrant Literacy Coalition, and members of the club are currently planning a Workforce Literacy Economic Summit.

Corporate Advocate:

Chesapeake Energy Corporation . Since 2004, Chesapeake Energy has been an active member of the Tarrant County community supporting numerous programs that aim to increase adult literacy. Some of the ways that Chesapeake has contributed to literacy include supporting the Fort Worth Public Library Foundation, Literacy for Life, the Rotary Club of Fort Worth Corporate Spelling Bee and the Forest Hill Public Library to name a few.

Verizon. With David Russell’s vision, the Verizon Foundation’s nationwide advocacy of literacy was brought to the forefront of regional issues supported by the North Texas Future Fund. Verizon provides Thinkfinity, a free program that offers literacy distance learning. In North Texas, Verizon has donated leadership and resources to various organizations; and encourages employee volunteerism to combat the growing literacy problem in the region.

In addition to the winners listed, there were many individuals and organizations supporting literacy in North Texas that were nominated. Nominees are:

Individual Advocate Nominees:

Rose Brock, Librarian, Coppell Middle School – West
Amber Brown, Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Arlington, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Olivia Eudaly, Executive Director, Big Brother Big Sisters of North Texas
Nancy Hadaway, The Literacy Studies Group, University of Texas at Arlington
Carmelina Holloway, Owlsey Literacy Program Coordinator, Fort Worth Public Library Foundation
Holly Hungerford-Kresser, The Literacy Studies Group, University of Texas at Arlington
Sue Matkin, Assistant Vice President, United Way of Tarrant County
Donalyn Miller, 6th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Trinity Meadows Intermediate, Keller ISD
Nancy Montgomery, Region 10 Education Service Center
Peggy Semingson, The Literacy Studies Group, University of Texas at Arlington
Kathleen Tice, The Literacy Studies Group, University of Texas at Arlington
Cary Siegfried, Library Director, City of Arlington
Chandra Sipes, Volunteer, GED Tutor, Rowlett Public Library
Terri Walker, Region 10 Education Service Center
Joy Wiggins, The Literacy Studies Group, University of Texas at Arlington

Community Advocate Nominees:

Amachi Texas
City of Denton
Denton Independent School District
English Language Program, Legacy Church
Irving Independent School District Reading Recovery Program
Isabel’s Community Outreach
Midlothian Independent School District
Region 10 Education Service Center
The Learning Center of North Texas
World Affairs Council of Dallas Fort Worth

Corporate Advocate Nominees:

Irving.net
Irving Sunrise Rotary Club
Las Colinas Rotary Club
North Texas Library Partner
Rotary Club of Irving
United Way of Tarrant County

Table sponsorships are available for $500 and individual tickets are still available for $40. Registrations are accepted at the North Texas Future Fund Web site or by calling 972-621-0400. Valet parking will be provided.

The North Texas Future Fund was established as a 501(c)3 in 2001. The founding leaders instituted a vision and mission that called to action collaborative efforts in North Texas to identify critical issues in education and development of a quality workforce and to develop proactive strategies to address these issues.

Established in 1971, the North Texas Commission is a regional non-profit consortium of businesses, cities, counties, chambers of commerce, economic development entities and higher education institutions in the North Texas Region. The Commission is the one and only public-private regional organization committed to enhancing the overall economic vitality and quality of life of North Texas. NTC improves the economy, infrastructure and lifestyle of North Texas by leading and directing regionally cooperative initiatives to accomplish objectives in four primary areas: transportation, aviation, environment and long-range strategies.