As part of its focus on literacy, United Way of York County launched a new program in February called the Early Literacy Read to Me Challenge, a pre-literacy program designed to encourage York County families to read to their 1- and 2-year-old children. This project was funded by a grant from the Women's Giving Circle of York County Community Foundation.
United Way delivered its first crates of age-appropriate books to participating early learning center classrooms at Crispus Attucks, YMCA Hanover, YWCA Hanover, and YWCA York. Children will take home a new book each night, and parents will track the number of books read, with the goal of reading 100 books during the school year. The piloted group at these four early learning centers is expected to serve 100 children across 12 classrooms.
By focusing specifically on 1- and 2-year-old children, the Early Literacy Read to Me Challenge will complement the Early Literacy 100 Book Challenge, which serves children ages 3 to 5 in participating classrooms. The program also joins United Way's other current #yorkreads initiatives, including Reach Out and Read, targeted to children ages 6 months to 5 years at pediatrician appointments, and public-facing Reading Ready Corners and Little Free Libraries.
Families in participating classrooms will also receive information about York County Libraries' new initiative, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, which offers library cards and provides community members information on their closest library and incentives for reaching goals along the way. Families will also receive information on the libraries' Summer Reading Program, which operates during the timeframe that the Early Literacy Read to Me Challenge is not active.
Individuals interested in supporting the #yorkreads programs through book donations can drop off new or used children's books at the United Way of York County, 800 E. King St., York, on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Readers may also browse the United Way wish list on Amazon at http://bit.ly/yorkreads_WishList, where books can be purchased and sent directly to the United Way.
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