This story first appeared in the April 19, 2024 edition of Palm Beach Society Magazine
The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties leads a collaborative effort to improve childhood literacy, recognizing its pivotal role in shaping the community’s future.
For over five decades, the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties has fostered partnerships with donors, nonprofits, and community members to address local needs. At present, a new challenge looms large: children’s literacy.
With over 50 percent of Palm Beach County third graders unable to pass their reading assessments, the future of a highly educated, local workforce is at risk.
“Third grade is a turning point, with studies showing that children who can’t read on grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely to not graduate high school. That’s why our vision is to make 2024 a transformative year for children’s literacy,” said Jeffrey A. Stoops, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation.
This dilemma is what propelled the Community Foundation to rally the community at its annual Founders Luncheon, where the organization announced a philanthropic response — the Early Literacy Fund — to support nonprofits at the grassroots of this issue through its competitive “Community Impact” grantmaking cycle. The Lawrence A. Sanders Foundation was the lead donor to the Early Literacy Fund.
The Community Foundation is taking its Early Literacy Fund further with the implementation of a phonics curriculum pilot created by the University of Florida’s Literacy Institute (UFLI), set to launch this summer. Palm Beach resident James Patterson is a supporter of UFLI and connected the Community Foundation to UF’s changemaking program.
The UFLI curriculum offers a lifeline to students grappling with their reading skills, and will be piloted among four participating nonprofit organizations: the Banner Lake Club in Hobe Sound, Fuller Center in Boca Raton, Achievement Center for Children & Families in Delray Beach and the Edna W. Runner Tutorial Center in Jupiter.
State-wide education systems have already seen notable results with the curriculum in use: In the Alachua County school district, the percentage of second graders reading at grade level by the end of their year had risen from 30 to 80 percent following the introduction of the UFLI program.
“We believe children’s literacy is not just an educational issue, but a societal imperative with a lasting impact on our community’s future. And youth in the communities we serve are falling behind in record numbers. We are excited to see what impact our partnership with the University of Florida can have in these four crucial summer programs,” said Danita R. DeHaney, President and CEO of the Community Foundation.
With a sense of urgency echoing through the halls of academia, the Community Foundation continues to expand its journey, empowering young minds armed with tremendous potential. If you’d like to get involved in this initiative, or want to learn more, click here or call us at 561.659.6800.
