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 Salinas Valley and South Monterey County families. Taylor Farms’ commitment to the Community’s need is demonstrated in many ways including its recent funding support for implementing Read to Me Project in seven 4th grade classrooms at La Gloria Elementary School. Funding will support direct program costs – costs also supported in part by the school district – including materials, books and classroom/student coordination.
Superintendent Elizabeth Modena, Gonzales Unified School District, says, “Gonzales Unified has been very pleased with the Read to Me Project and how it has supported our 4th grade students, their parents and their younger siblings. We are so grateful to Bruce Taylor and Taylor Farms for supporting these efforts and our 4th Grade students. This generosity is allowing us to expand the program to our 5th grade students at Fairview Middle School. This support is one more example of The Gonzales Way!; the way our community members and local businesses come together to love, care and connect with our youth and families.”
"Taylor Farms believes in giving back to our communities through education. We are proud to support literacy programs such as the Read to Me Project – the project not only enhances reading confidence, it encourages siblings to read to one another." Margaret D’Arrigo-Martin, vice president of community development, Taylor Farms.
Read to Me Project’s mission is: Helping children achieve kindergarten readiness and a lifetime of literacy by inspiring and coaching older brothers and sisters to read daily to their young siblings at home. Project Founder Barbara Greenway adds her deep appreciation for Taylor Farms’ enthusiastic response to the program, saying, “With the support of business leaders like Bruce Taylor of Taylor Farms, Read to Me Project is able to address an alarming need in
Monterey County for a focused commitment to preparing young children for school. Research and data overwhelmingly prove the critical importance of early engagement through exposure to language, vocabulary, concepts and literacy experiences. Children who develop critical pre-literacy skills are set on course for success in school and a lifetime of literacy. In addition, the students who are reading to their pre-kindergarten age siblings at home are gaining reading confidence, developing empathy and increased self-esteem, and teachers are reporting improved fluency.”
The Read to Me Project is an innovative read-aloud program that motivates and trains upper elementary age students to read to their infant, toddler and preschool age siblings. The Project provides participating classrooms with age appropriate books, which are checked out and taken home to read aloud daily to young brothers and sisters. The Project is helping to change lives by preparing children for school and long-term success.
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: Read to Me Project