The Children’s Literacy Foundation Brings Stories and Books to the YMCA of Greater Nashua’s child care and summer literacy programs through Summer Readers Grant

Children served by the YMCA of Greater Nashua’s Early Education Center and Power Scholars Academy were treated to storytelling presentations from presenter Marv Klassen-Landis (at the Early Education Center) and and Marty Kelley (at Amherst Street Elementary School and Fairgrounds Elementary School) and brand-new books to keep, thanks to a generous grant from the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF). The storytellers led interactive presentations for children in the YMCA’s Early Education Center at the Merrimack YMCA and youth participating in Power Scholars Academy held at Fairgrounds Elementary School and Amherst Street Elementary School. At the end of the presentation, each child selected two new books to keep from hundreds of titles.

CLiF awards Summer Readers grants to organizations serving kids at high risk of experiencing a “summer slide” in literacy skills. The partnership between the YMCA of Greater Nashua and CLiF reached our community’s young readers who are at greatest risk.

Research shows that children who don’t read over summer vacation tend to lose literacy skills while children who do read improve their reading abilities. Low-income children and youth often experience greater summer learning losses than their higher-income peers.

“We value our partnership with the Children’s Literacy Foundation. It’s a highlight of our summer for the children who get to participate in the event and are able to take two books home with them. The fun filled days of summer should always include pleasure reading,” said Elizabeth Covino, chief community relations officer at the YMCA of Greater Nashua.

About the YMCA of Greater Nashua: The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA of Greater Nashua facilities, located in both Nashua and Merrimack, engage over 35,000 men, women and children annually – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. For more information about the Y visit www.nmymca.org.

About the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF): CLiF is an independent non-profit organization founded in 1998. Its mission is to nurture a love of reading and writing among low-income, at-risk, and rural children in New Hampshire and Vermont. CLiF has inspired more than 350,000 young readers and writers through literacy program grants and has given away more than $5 million in new, high-quality children’s books. For more information visit www.clifonline.org.