Hispanic Outreach By Red Bank Library To Get 'Giving Year' Support

RED BANK, NJ — Hispanic community outreach programs at the Red Bank Public Library will get more funding, as the library foundation is named this month's beneficiary of the Giving Year from the Count Basie Center for the Arts and Bank of America.

The Giving Year is a yearlong initiative to recognize and reward organizations for their contributions to the regional community.

And Giving Year leaders said the choice of the Foundation for Red Bank Library was particularly timely, as National Hispanic Heritage Month is being celebrated.

The Foundation for the Red Bank Library will receive $1 from every Count Basie Center ticket sold in September, up to $15,000.

“The Red Bank Public Library and the Foundation are thrilled to be selected as a recipient of this funding,” said Library Director Eleni Glykis.

She said the grant will allow the library to acquire software and a tutor for Spanish Language GED preparation.

"This will give all residents the opportunity to obtain the high school diploma that is such an important stepping-stone to meaningful employment and higher levels of education," Glykis said.

Glykis added that acquiring the necessary software to implement a Spanish language GED program has been on the library’s wish list for some time.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Count Basie Center for the Arts and Bank of America for bringing this component of the library's long-term strategic plan to life,” said Glykis.

Alberto Garofalo, President, Bank of America New Jersey, said the company "applauds the library for being trailblazers in this initiative and . . . . hopes to help this program expand access to all Hispanic-Latino community members for years to come.”

Jeremy Grunin, chairperson, Count Basie Center for the Arts, noted the important role served by public libraries:

“In Red Bank and other Monmouth and Ocean County communities, libraries have evolved into centers of service for populations that may otherwise lack resources, like a multilingual GED program or services and programming for its ESL clients.”

The Giving Year has focused on organizations serving causes related to arts and culture, health/wellness, food insecurity, diversity, equity and inclusion, or financial management or other services to underrepresented populations.

Organizations interested in consideration for the Giving Year can learn more and apply for consideration at www.thebasie.org/thegivingyear.

The Giving Year will last throughout 2023, with the Count Basie Center for the Arts donating $1 from every ticket sold to one of 12 area nonprofits, with a different organization highlighted each month. Organizations will be eligible to receive up to $15,000 during their month, in addition to complimentary tickets for distribution to their volunteers and/or their beneficiaries.

Other organizations named for the program include mental wellness nonprofit Shore House in Long Branch, Asbury Park’s Inspire Life, The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide in Freehold, The Sandy Hook Foundation, Red Bank’s No Limits Café and LGBTQIA+ resource organization QSpot.

“Part of our responsibility as a nonprofit organization is to look inwards and say, ‘What more can we do?’” said Adam Philipson, president and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts.

He said the Basie Center for the Arts has a special status as a place where world-class musicians, actors and other artists perform.

"We also have this opportunity – and responsibility – to lend our visibility to others," he said, adding the Giving Year provides a "pedestal for organizations that deserve to have their hard work and purposes known and recognized.”