Read to Succeed to Host “The Illusionists” Reception at PPAC with Support from BankRI

PROVIDENCE, RI. – On Saturday, January 17, Read to Succeed—the only literacy program for Providence low-income students that addresses summer learning loss with the incentive of college scholarships—will host a Marquee Room Reception to be followed by the performance of The Illusionists at Providence Performing Arts Center to raise funds for the youth it serves. This Read to Succeed reception is sponsored in part by Bank Rhode Island (BankRI).

Direct from Broadway, The Illusionists are the world’s best-selling magic show, showcasing the jaw dropping talents of seven of magic’s most accomplished illusionists. Having shattered box office records across the globe with the most astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage, their performance is sure to dazzle audiences of all ages with its sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.

Launched in 2008, and having already awarded $228,000 in scholarships to Providence students, Read to Succeed has embarked on a 5-year plan to increase enrollment each year by a new grade of students at its partner schools until 400 students have access to its summer reading and college scholarship program annually. In 2015, 235 students are expected to participate. Understanding that nearly all students lose as much as two months of literacy comprehension during the summer by not reading, Read to Succeed works to reverse this trend by giving students free books and a powerful incentive to read during summer break.

For students who participate in Read to Succeed and complete six books during the summer months, they’re eligible to earn a $1,000 scholarship deposit in their name into the Rhode Island CollegeBoundfundfor up to five consecutive summers. The program is offered for free to students, parents, and schools.

“Read to Succeed not only encourages students to remain engaged in learning when school is out of session, they provide an avenue that helps youth follow their dream of continuing their education in college,” said Will Tsonos, BankRI’s Senior Vice President, Director of Commercial Banking and a member of the Read to Succeed Board of Directors.

In addition helping sponsor the performance of The Illusionists, BankRI has awarded Read to Succeed a $2,500 grant in support of its Summer Reading and College Scholarship Program, ensuring the organization has the additional resources needed to award scholarships to more students.

For more information about Read to Succeed, or to sponsor one for more scholarships for Read to Succeed students, visit http://www.readtosucceedri.org/.

About Bank Rhode Island

Bank Rhode Island, a wholly owned subsidiary of Brookline Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:BRKL), is a full-service, FDIC-insured financial institution headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island.  The bank operates 19 branches and more than 60 ATMs throughout Providence, Kent and Washington Counties. For more information, visit www.BANKRHODEISLAND.com.

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