Northwestern Mutual awards grants

Northwestern Mutual’s foundation will give $1.2 million in grants to support Milwaukee educational programs, the company has announced.

According to a media release, the grants will go toward third-grade literacy and mentoring programs, as well as high school technology initiatives.

To help with thirdgrade reading proficiency, Milwaukee Succeed’ s Reading Foundations, which is funded by Northwestern Mutual, will have K-2 teachers develop the reading skills of their students by implementing tutoring, parental involvement and other learning opportunities into their programs.

This program is already in place at 16 Milwaukee schools and will expand this year, the company said in a statement.

The Northwestern Mutual Foundation will also work with five Milwaukee public partner schools to support the program.

These include: Auer Avenue Elementary School, Carver Academy, Clarke Street Public School, Gwen T. Jackson Early Childhood and Elementary School and Ralph H. Metcalfe School.

The foundation is also giving a $20,000 grant to five high schools to boost programing that gives ninth-graders the chance to work in technology.

These include: Messmer High School, Milwaukee Academy of Science, Pathways High, Reagan and St. Joan Antida.