“My grandparents raised me. We lived in an area where you couldn’t go outside very often. So you had to find something to entertain yourself. In my household growing up, it was reading. Every book was a new adventure. I would absorb that place and just get lost in it. That’s what built up my imagination as a child. And it helped me cope with different situations I was in. It still does to this day.

“I’m trying to pass along that love of books to my kids. My husband and I started reading time with them when they were very young. It’s not just fun for them. We enjoy it, too, spending that quality time with them.

“My daughter is 6 now, and she’s just learning how to read. She’s obsessed with books. She reads anything she can get her hands on. My son is 4, and he’s currently into super heroes.

“At home, right outside their bedroom, there’s a bookshelf full of children’s books that they can read daily. And about once a week, we try to come in here so they can be exposed to other books. They love it. You never know what will be here, so it’s a surprise each time. It’s not just fun, goofy books. There are educational books here, too. So it’s helping them to expand their knowledge. Having this close access is absolutely amazing.”

— Betty Rosario (with Rosabella and Elyjah)

Families at Providence Apartments take advantage of the free little library in the property management office. It’s provided through Academic Beginnings for Children as part of an initiative to advance childhood literacy. The organization has placed and is maintaining 10 such libraries in Baytown. Children are encouraged not only to read at the libraries, but also to take a book for enjoyment and learning at home.

The post Free little library helps build kids’ imaginations appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“I attended elementary schools that had a bilingual program up until fourth grade. That’s when I transitioned to all English at San Jacinto Elementary. I remember it being a shock. I went from doing very well in class and being very verbal to going into a classroom where I felt intimidated. I felt that everybody was smarter than me because I didn’t speak as fluently as they did. So I just got quiet.

“I didn’t feel like I could compete academically. Even though I still felt I was smart, I had lost confidence. I stayed on par as far as my assessments. I would pass everything. I just didn’t blossom. I wasn’t a leader.

The post Bilingual student lived in two different worlds appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“I have this literacy foundation. Our goal is to develop and improve skills for young kids who are reading below their grade level.

“It’s important to me because I graduated from high school as a special education student, but I didn’t know how to read. Eventually, I learned with the help of someone at the library who went above and beyond. She did things like go to the store with me to help me read food labels because I wanted to learn how to cook. I owe so much to her.

“After my own children also struggled with reading, I got help for them. They were able to get back on track. That inspired me to help other kids.

“With the support of a lot of people, we’re really making a difference. Being able to help others is a great feeling. I feel like I’m accomplishing something in life.”

— Monica Boyd

The post Literacy foundation making a difference for kids appeared first on The Baytown Project.