News Summary
Knoxville partners with Thrive and the Haslam Foundation to implement a new summer literacy program aimed at supporting at-risk youth. This initiative addresses educational disparities by providing personalized reading support and engaging activities designed to prevent summer learning loss. The program will enhance reading skills and build confidence among children in the community, ensuring they have the tools needed to succeed academically.
Knoxville Launches Innovative Summer Literacy Program for At-Risk Youth
Knoxville is set to benefit from a new partnership between Thrive and the Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation, aimed at providing a transformative summer literacy program for at-risk youth. This initiative is designed to address educational disparities and is launched during Thrive’s Summer Program across five locations in the city.
The summer literacy program specifically targets children who are most vulnerable to the “summer slide,” a phenomenon where students lose some of the academic gains made during the school year. With the aim of fostering a lifelong love of reading and learning, this initiative is focused on integrating literacy support into existing summer programming provided by Thrive.
Both Thrive and the Haslam Foundation share a vision of enabling all children, regardless of their background, to access vital educational resources. By coupling evidence-based instruction with personalized one-on-one reading support, the program aspires to close significant educational gaps and enhance academic performance for hundreds of students in Knoxville.
Clayton Wood, Executive Director of Thrive, expressed gratitude for the partnership with the Haslam Foundation, viewing it as a significant stride toward enriching the lives of local youth. The program is designed to be more than just a typical summer enrichment initiative; it forms part of a broader commitment to transform literacy and education in the community.
The summer literacy program will include engaging activities that not only enhance reading skills but also work to build confidence and self-esteem among young readers. Thrive emphasizes comprehensive support in its mission, which integrates spiritual, academic, and emotional guidance to foster overall youth development.
Crissy Haslam, the former First Lady of Tennessee, praised Thrive for its dedication to providing effective literacy instruction and resources. The Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation’s contribution is expected to have a significant impact on children living in neighborhoods that have limited access to educational resources, thereby promoting hope and opportunities for success among the youth.
Overall, the initiative is geared toward providing both academic enrichment and inspiring a brighter future for Knoxville’s children, ensuring that they have the tools needed to thrive within and beyond educational settings.
For those interested in learning more about Thrive or supporting this vital initiative, further information is available at www.HelpUsThrive.com. Thrive operates three main programs: Thrive After School, Thrive Summer, and Mentoring, all dedicated to connecting caring adults with at-risk youth through gospel-centered relationships.
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Additional Resources
- Knox TN Today: Summer Reading Programs
- Knoxville Moms: Summer Reading Programs
- KNIARLS: Knoxville Public Library Summer Program
- WBIR: Improve Reading Skills
- WATE: Transforming Young Scholars
- Wikipedia: Literacy
- Google Search: Summer Reading Programs for Youth
- Google Scholar: Literacy Programs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Summer Learning
- Google News: Knoxville Summer Reading Program
