Throughout the
summer, apartment communities around the state held Raising a Reader programs
in community spaces. These reading programs for young children help them learn
from their parents how to read and develop a love of books, help little ones
before they enter kindergarten and when school and preschools are on break.
After a busy
summer, apartment managers are submitting their final reports about the
program’s impact and ideas for enhancements. The stories appear to go far
beyond just reading programs. Residents and managers report seeing new
friendships and relationships form among neighbors. Residents know their
community managers better, and people feel more connected to their communities.
All of this helps build safer communities.
Some managers
brought in local librarians to share how families can use local libraries to
continue reading programs at home. Others are adding communities to their
programs and expanding their reach to residents around Arizona. Some
communities run this literacy program year-round, and managers have added their
own flair by using holiday or seasonally themed books to keep young kids
excited about learning.
Upon completing
this 8-10 week proven national literacy program, kids graduated the program
with new book bags ready to take to daycare, the library or home where they can
continue to read with their parents.
If your
apartment community doesn’t yet have a Raising a Reader program in place,
inquire about this with your manager. The AMA offers trainings year round to
educate community managers on how to implement the program on-site using their
tools. Our Train the Trainer program is free and open to member management
companies.