FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 29, 2005

Chambliss, Isakson Announce Education Funding for Douglas County School System

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today announced that the Douglas County School System will receive a total of $199,880 from the U.S. Department of Education as part of their Mentoring Grants Program.

The Mentoring Program’s discretionary grant competition gives awards to local educational agencies, non-profit community-based organizations, or partnerships between the two, to promote school-based mentoring programs for children with the greatest need. These projects seek to assist children in receiving support and guidance from a mentor; improve their academic achievement; improve interpersonal relationships with their peers, teachers, other adults, and family members;  reduce their rate of dropping of out school; and reduce levels of juvenile delinquency and involvement in gangs.

“The biggest investment that we can make as a nation is in our youth,” said Chambliss.  “I commend the Douglas County School System for recognizing this fact and for working hard to see that these Georgia children receive the valuable support they need.”

“Advancing education, especially through mentoring programs, is one of my passions, and I am pleased to announce this grant for the Douglas County School System,” said Isakson.  “In the distribution of this grant, the Department of Education has performed a great service for Georgia.”

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