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Tiffani believes everyone deserves the gift of choice in literature

Programs that Link2Literacy Offer

BOOK BRIDGE

Workshops to build caregiver comfort in reading to children using confidence-building reading and strategies.

EMPOWERME

Personalized book ownership and back-to-school essentials for children in the foster care system.

WORDSTOCK

Free books, new and gently used, for all ages through an annual Lincoln-wide book swap event with food trucks and fun!

UNBOUND

Book clubs for 3rd - 8th grade

                                                                                                                                                             .DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY

A FREE book is mailed each month to children from birth until age 5 to help families build home libraries of age-appropriate and high-quality books. Linked2Literacy is the sole local partner in Nebraska bringing books to children in the community.

TEAMMATES MENTORING

Through our partnership with TeamMates, Linked2Literacy is extending its reach to ensure that children not only have access to mentorship but also to the resources they need to thrive academically and personally.

General Facts about Reading!

1. Strengthened Family Bonds: Reading together fosters communication and understanding. Shared stories create opportunities for families to discuss values, solve problems, and nurture emotional connections.
2. Enhanced Literacy Skills: When children hear their parents or siblings read aloud, they are exposed to new vocabulary, sentence structures, and storytelling techniques. This practice supports their language development and comprehension skills.
3. Promoting a Love for Learning: Reading as a family establishes a culture of curiosity and lifelong learning. It demonstrates the value of books and knowledge, encouraging children to seek out information and think critically.
4. Stress Reduction: Family reading sessions can provide a sense of comfort and stability, particularly for families facing economic or social challenges. The act of reading together can be a calming ritual that strengthens resilience.

Underserved communities often face barriers to literacy, such as:

• Limited Access to Resources: Public libraries, books, and educational materials may not be readily available.
• Educational Inequities: Schools in underserved areas may lack funding for robust literacy programs.
• Time Constraints: Parents working multiple jobs may struggle to find time to read with their children.
• Generational Literacy Gaps: Parents with low literacy levels may feel unequipped to engage in family reading.

Understanding the scope of literacy challenges highlights the urgency of action:

• According to UNESCO, 773 million adults worldwide lack basic literacy skills, two-thirds of whom are women.
• The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 21% of U.S. adults have low literacy skills, affecting their ability to read job applications or medical instructions.
• Children from low-income families are six times more likely to drop out of high school than their wealthier peers, partly due to literacy gaps.

1. Closing the Achievement Gap: Regular reading at home can offset educational disparities. Studies show that children who read with their families perform better academically.
2. Building Community Resilience: Literacy empowers individuals to advocate for themselves and their communities. It enables parents to engage with schools, understand legal documents, and access resources.
3. Breaking Cycles of Poverty: Literacy is directly linked to earning potential and employment opportunities. By fostering a love of reading, families can help future generations break out of poverty.

Communities and organizations can support family reading through:

• Book Drives: Distributing free books to underserved families.
• Family Literacy Programs: Offering workshops and resources to parents on how to engage in reading activities with their children.
• Public Library Outreach: Expanding access to mobile libraries or digital books in low-income areas.
• Partnering with Local Businesses: Encouraging companies to sponsor literacy events or donate materials.

Reading with family is more than just a pastime; it’s an investment in the future. For underserved communities, it is a pathway to empowerment, resilience, and growth. By prioritizing family literacy, we can bridge gaps, build stronger communities, and create a brighter future for all. Whether it’s a bedtime story, a weekend library trip, or a family book club, the simple act of reading together can change lives—one page at a time.