ELC Receives $4,200 Grant From Service Club of Manatee County for ReadingPals Initiative
In a continued commitment to early childhood education, the Service Club of Manatee County has awarded a $4,200 grant to the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County's (ELC) ReadingPals program. This initiative connects volunteers with local preschoolers for weekly reading sessions that help build early literacy skills and supportive, one-on-one relationships.
"To have one adult completely dedicated to a student is an experience that cannot be matched," said Marybeth Sottile, a ReadingPals volunteer. "It's not like being in a classroom with lots of students; this is a unique and wonderful situation."
ReadingPals helps children discover the joy of reading, but the benefits don't stop at enhanced literacy. The consistent support of a caring mentor boosts their confidence, strengthens their language development, and helps them feel more connected and supported as they learn. Afterward, the children can bring home a book and simple activities that invite their families to engage, too. This builds on the reading habits they're creating at school.
"By giving children access to books, we're fostering a love of reading early on in their lives," said Colleen Whittaker, Community Education Initiatives Impact Manager at the ELC. "This truly can change their whole life."
This year, ReadingPals will directly impact about 120 local children and families. Research continues to show that children who build strong reading skills early are better prepared for school, more likely to stay on track academically, and have more options as they grow. Through programs like ReadingPals, the ELC and its community partners are helping to shape a more empowered Manatee County.
"When a child feels seen and supported by someone who shows up just for them and discovers a love of reading in the process, that's truly transformative," said Darrell King, CEO of the ELC. "We're thankful to the Service Club of Manatee County for helping create more of those powerful moments."
For more information about the ReadingPals program or how to become a volunteer, visit https://elc-manatee.org/ReadingPals.
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About ELC of Manatee County
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, Inc. is a multi-service agency dedicated to helping children develop skills that they will need to be successful in school and life. The agency's focus is on high-quality school readiness opportunities for all children and their families, understanding that it is in the first years of life that a child's future educational success is determined and the critical role of parents, as their child's first and most important teacher. To learn more about Coalition's services, go to www.elc-manatee.org or call 941-757-2900, extension 2100.