Gillis Literacy Center opens at Kolbe Cathedral

The Gillis Literacy Center opened at Kolbe Cathedral Preparatory School on October 30 to provide reading support for Catholic school students in Bridgeport. The center is the first of five literacy spaces planned for the city.

A $6.3 million gift from Dr. Margie Gillis and Chip Gillis funds a five-year initiative to assist more than 1,000 students. The program provides one-on-one reading intervention for students and personalized coaching for teachers.

Bishop Frank J. Caggiano spoke at the opening, noting the gift would benefit many young people. Steven Velardo, president of Foundations in Education, hosted the event. Stacie Stueber, the diocese superintendent of schools, stated the resources address the need for individualized support in classrooms.