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AAUW Meeting Explores Cradle To Career Movement
Hughes AAUW

A shocking statistic for the Stanislaus area is that 71 percent of third graders do not read at grade level. Furthermore, these students are four times less likely to graduate from high school and will only earn $20,000 per year on average.

At its Thursday, Jan. 11 meeting, members and guests along with prospective members of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon Branch will hear what the Stanislaus Community Foundation is doing to help these students thrive and succeed.

Amanda Hughes, Program Director for the Foundation, will talk about the early wins of the Stanislaus READS! and Stanislaus Futures initiatives and how this work will evolve into a countywide “Cradle to Career” movement. Hughes oversees all aspects of the Foundation’s grant making, scholarship, and community leadership programs. She maintains knowledge of the local social sector and connects donors to organizations and causes that align with their charitable goals. She also provides direct oversight of the countywide third grade reading initiative, Stanislaus READS!, and the College Futures Foundation’s Community Philanthropy Initiative to elevate the college-going culture in Stanislaus County.

A Modesto native, Hughes was part of the inaugural graduating class of International Baccalaureate at Modesto High School. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and French from Lewis and Clark College and a master’s degree in Public Administration from CSU, Stanislaus. Before joining Stanislaus Community Foundation, she worked as a Marketing Coordinator for Community Hospice.

The 7 p.m. meeting will be held in a member’s home. Those interested in attending may call (209) 847-0271 for information and directions.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. Since 1881, members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day – educational, social, economic and political. Graduates holding an associates or higher degree from an institution of the AAUW list of qualified institutions and persons holding an honorary degree are eligible for membership in AAUW. For further information about AAUW, log on to www.aauw.org.

Information about AAUW, Oakdale Riverbank Escalon Branch, is at http://ore-ca.aauw.net or by emailing the branch at AAUW.ORE@gmail.com.