The United Way of Tri-County provided over 150 literacy kits to the MetroWest YMCA to use for programs serving young children. Each literacy kit includes a book and a related activity aimed to foster early literacy, interactive learning, and development. Literacy kits are assembled by volunteers from local companies who support the United Way’s efforts in promoting education and early literacy in our communities.
The MetroWest YMCA is using literacy kits in their Early Learning Center which offers a safe, nurturing environment for children to learn, grow, and develop social skills to help them become ready for kindergarten. Literacy kits are also being integrated into Project ABC community-based programs in Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, and Natick. Project ABC is a Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) program funded by the Department of Early Education and Care. The program is designed to provide all families with young children full access to locally available comprehensive services and supports that strengthen families, promote optimal child development, and bolster school readiness. There’s a CFCE program serving every community in Massachusetts. Click here to find yours.
Literacy kits support school readiness by providing hands-on resources and activities for children and families to explore together. The United Way of Tri-County is partnering with other CFCE grantees to distribute literacy kits across its footprint.
The United Way of Tri-County literacy kit program complements its Ready to Read program which provides children ages 0-5 in low-income families with 12 new books per year to build a library and develop early literacy skills by reading at home. Ready to Read helps children prepare to enter kindergarten ready to begin learning how to read.