BEST Adult Learning
Center Awarded Family Literacy Grants
Blanchard Library Blog: 4.23 2019
A
$45,000 grant from the California
Library Literacy Services (CLLS) and a $10,000 grant from the American
Library Association (ALA) will help support a unique family literacy
program at Blanchard Community Library (BCL) that aims to help immigrant
families better advocate for their children through improved English and by
building the social skills and confidence necessary to participate in an
English-speaking world.
The
Mommy & Me Literacy program was launched in 2017 at BCL with the purpose of
improving reading and writing skills for adults with preschool age children.
Children of parents with low literacy skills have a 72% chance of being at the
lowest reading levels themselves, according to the national adult literacy
organization, ProLiteracy.
To
address this statistic, Mommy & Me Literacy strives to lift the English
proficiency of parents through traditional language classes while also carving
out time for parents to practice early-learning activities with their own
children. Mommy & child spend time together reinforcing the family
bond, playing, singing, and building strong reading habits—and exploring the
library together. In addition, once a week, an interactive curriculum, Abriendo Puertas/ Opening Doors helps parents
develop their role as their child’s first teacher and strongest advocate.
