The Early Learning Coalition brings reading resources to rural areas
The challenge
Families who live in rural communities are less likely to have access to diverse technology, which poses increasing challenges as educational resources become increasingly digitized. The gaps were rapidly exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Without the equipment needed to operate online programming, many rural students and their families were unable to participate in the educational and social Zoom events.
This year, the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region (ELC) set out to improve literacy rates by reimagining their services and creating technology-independent solutions to reach traditional underserved rural families.
The solution
Image provided by ELC of the Big Bend Region
Unlike many literacy programs in 2020 and 2021, ELC forewent Zoom calls and virtual meetings and instead held drive-through resource events. These drive-through events were meant to not only share ELC resources and books with rural families, but to also provide face-to-face interactions that could motivate and inspire their students to read.
Thanks to support received through Coaching for Literacy’s #Fight4Literacy Games at FAMU and FSU, and with financial investments from International Paper, the Early Learning Coalition held several such literacy events for the residents of Jefferson County. One drive-through event was carnival themed and featured balloons, a character dressed as a unicorn and several other elements designed to grab the attention of every child in attendance. The event’s most important component was the participation of celebrity readers who read developmentally appropriate books for children at various ages. By combining fun and literacy, ELC increased the incentive for parents to attend and students to engage.
Funding also allowed ELC to purchase books so each carnival-goer had age-appropriate materials to take home. Access to these books hopefully instilled within them a passion for imagination and encouraged them to read during the summer months.
The testimony
ELC Chief Operations Officer Kara Palmer Smith says she looks forward to many more years of partnership with Coaching for Literacy.
“The impact we have made in the community as a result of the dollars received from Coaching for Literacy has been amazing.”
You can #Fight4Literacy.
Illiteracy impacts every community – it is critical that we all join together to help children locally and around the country. Consider donating to Coaching for Literacy or participating in an upcoming #Fight4Literacy Game. Share this message with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, and follow Coaching for Literacy for information about upcoming events and the fight against illiteracy. We look forward to having you on our team.
