Promoting Literacy in Our Community

Welcome to the Literacy Initiatives Page of the Rotary Club of Peoria North!

Reading Buddies & Pen Pals

At the Rotary Club, we cherish our role in fostering literacy among young students. Through our partnership with The Elise Ford Allen Academy, our members volunteer as Reading Buddies and Pen Pals to first and second graders. By spending time each week with these children, our volunteers not only enhance students' reading skills but also provide mentorship and friendship. In response to the pandemic, we also introduced a Pen Pal program where members encourage reading by mailing books and letters to students monthly.

Funding Literacy Needs

Every year, we collaborate with school leaders to fund essential literacy projects. This includes:

• Acquiring new library books tailored for early readers.
• Purchasing social-emotional learning books and resources for a mobile teacher’s library.
• Providing Play-Away listening devices along with necessary accessories like batteries and headphones.

Little Free Libraries

Our club sponsors two Little Free Libraries at The Elise Ford Allen Academy. These libraries are continually stocked with books, available for free, ensuring that students have access to reading materials year-round.

Summer Reading Kits

To keep the literacy momentum going over the summer, we gift our Reading Buddies and Pen Pals with summer reading kits. These kits include a selection of books and healthy snacks, all packed in a reusable bag.

Guest Reader Day

Before the pandemic, our members organized Guest Reader Days, where they read and discussed books with students from kindergarten to fourth grade at The Elise Ford Allen Academy. This program also involved career talks to inspire the students. Each book read was later donated to the school library.

News Literacy Workshops

Understanding the importance of being well-informed, we conduct news literacy workshops for high school students at the Peoria Regional Learning Center. These sessions are designed to teach students how to identify reliable news sources and recognize misleading information.

Join Us in Making a Difference!

Our literacy programs are part of our commitment to education and community service. We invite you to join us in these efforts, whether by volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word about the importance of literacy.