The Westerville Education Foundation (WEF), Westerville Partners for Education (WPE), Reading Matters, and Neighborhood Bridges are collaborating to support student literacy this summer with the new StoryBox program. Until June 8, 2020, Neighborhood Bridges is doubling donations to Storybox, up to $5,000. Make an online donation today and double your impact!
The StoryBox initiative puts books into the hands of Westerville City School District (WCSD) students this summer. Studies show that access to books during the summer prevents a drastic loss in reading skills, and with students at home since March due to the global pandemic, preventing this “summer slide” is more urgent than ever.
StoryBox will provide four books to each K-3 student in WCSD who was recommended for summer intervention. These books have been selected by district reading specialists and will be sent based on each student’s reading level. In addition to the books, students will have access to an online StoryBox Video Library of special guest readers demonstrating the reading of the books that student has received in their StoryBox. The video library of 25+ books will also be made public so our entire community can enjoy them.
Organizers hope to raise $15,000 to fully fund the program, and Neighborhood Bridges’ support to match donations up to $5,000 through June 8 provides a tremendous opportunity to reach that goal.
“Neighborhood Bridges is pleased to join this partnership that will directly impact more than 1,100 Westerville students who are in need of summer intervention,” said Rick Bannister, Executive Director of Neighborhood Bridges. “The strategies of StoryBox are thoughtful, inclusive, and congruent with Neighborhood Bridges’ ongoing desire to assist at-risk students with summer school intervention classes.”
In addition to making a larger donation to help fund the program, supporters also have the opportunity to sponsor a reader for just $25. Neighborhood Bridges will double those reader sponsorships as well. Learn more about StoryBox, the Video Library, program partners, and guest readers at www.westervilleeducationfoundation.com. To become involved as a partner in the program, contact WEF Executive Director Colleen Moidu at ExecutiveDirector@WestervilleEducationFoundation.com.