Salinas, California – The Read to Me Project, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization works to break the generational cycle of low-literacy among underserved Hispanic families in Salinas and South Monterey County. California Giant Berry Farms’ commitment to the Community’s need is demonstrated in many ways including its recent funding support of $1,500 for implementing Read to Me Project in three classrooms during the 2016/17 school year. Funding will support direct program costs including materials, books and classroom/student coordination.
Cindy Jewell, Cal Giant’s Vice President of Marketing, says, “We believe so strongly in empowering kids to be agents of change and more importantly the opportunity to learn from each other. Reaching kids at a young age to help them teach each other is so powerful both for the chance to lead and the other to have a peer mentor.”
The Read to Me Project is a unique, prevention-based program that is addressing the root cause of Monterey County’s alarming low-literacy situation. Seven out of ten children are entering kindergarten lagging as much as two years behind. Imagine a five year old beginning school with the cognitive, language and vocabulary skills of three year old. Many never catch up, which leads to even greater struggles, frustrations in years to come. The Project is reaching low-income, Latino children in their home, where they learn best. By engaging elementary-age students who themselves are emergent readers, often lagging several years behind in reading skills, both older and younger siblings benefit. Read to Me Project also engages with the parents, often low-literate themselves, who are invited to attend a bilingual presentation on how to “light up” their child’s brain with learning, language, and vocabulary beginning at birth. Read to Me Project’s vision is to close the achievement gap by preparing every child to enter kindergarten ready to succeed.
Project Founder Barbara Greenway adds her appreciation for California Giant’s enthusiastic response to the program, saying, “With the support of local business leaders, Read to Me Project’s unique delivery model provides the entire family with the knowledge and skills they need to break the cycle of generational low-literacy, allowing underserved families to pursue dreams, ambitions and opportunities and to build stronger and more vibrant communities.”
For more information or to arrange for an interview contact Mary De Groat at mary@readtomeproject.org or call 831.275.1300 x 702. www.readtomeproject.org.
Source: California Giant Berry Farms
