Community Action awarded Rosalie Truax this year’s Poverty Warrior for her dedication to an adult-children education program.

Friday, October 19, 2001

Community Action awarded Rosalie Truax this year’s Poverty Warrior for her dedication to an adult-children education program.

Truax initiated the program called Even Start Family Literacy in 1992 and administrated it as a coordinator until last year, when she retired.

The program provides financial assistance to adults and infants under four who come from unprivileged families, giving them access to education opportunities. About 30 families are currently in the program, according to Truax.

The dual aid for the parents and kids has a synergistic effect on the improvement of family welfare, Truax said. &uot;One of the reasons that many of kids get behind is many of their parents do not speak English as a first language. The program helps the parents to get a better employment opportunity while the children get a better start.&uot;

The award started eight years ago to praise someone who made significant difference for improving the community.