SRC, Inc. Sponsors 100 Children in Imagination Library

SRC, Inc., a North Syracuse-based national research and development company has agreed to sponsor 100 children in the Imagination Library for one year. According to SRC, formerly known as the Syracuse Research Corporation, "We think this program dovetails well with our Say Yes and other education-related initiatives to make a positive impact on inner city youth and to reverse the cycle of poverty."

The Imagination Library, which distributes free books to eligible children each month until their fifth birthday, has been a resounding success on Syracuse's Northside. After only 6 months in operation, we now have 679 children enrolled and 2,697 age-appropriate books distributed. Thanks to a growing number of partners such as the Central New York Community Foundation, United Way's Success by Six, St. Joseph's Hospital, Clear Channel, the Allyn Foundation and Le Moyne College, the Syracuse-area Imagination Library is shaping up to be a shining example of what a community-wide push toward early literacy can achieve.

"We are very proud that SRC has made this commitment to support our efforts and further demonstrate their incredibly generous investment in our community across the lifespan. Our deepest thanks to SRC President Bob Roberts and his team for their leadership and challenge others to follow SRC's example," said Virginia Carmody, Executive Director, Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County.

Currently, the program is serving children in two Northside zip codes, 13203 and 13208 (with plans to expand to the Westside next). As part of the state-designated North Literacy Zone, these zip codes represent one of the neediest Syracuse neighborhoods in the crucial area of school-readiness - nearly half of the children from these zones have historically entered school without being ready to read. Such deficits can place children at a scholastic disadvantage for years to come. Early literacy has been proven to be a reliable indicator of a child's future success. As such, the Literacy Coalition, Imagination Library, and our community partners are hoping to help lay the bedrock upon which the future learning of Syracuse's children will be built.

(Excerpts from above taken from Smart Giving, the Central New York Community Foundation's Fall 2010 Newsletter).

Yeah Baby! Let's Read! Imagination Library Photo Contest

To all our Imagination Library families - you are your child's first and most important teacher. It also sounds too simple to be true but reading regularly with a child during their preschool years is the single most important activity to prepare them for school.

Help us encourage all families to read to their children daily by showing us the many ways it's done! To do so, we're announcing the Yeah Baby! Let's Read! Imagination Library Photo Contest. Send us photos of your family members reading one of their favorite Imagination Library books and enter to win a $100.00 gift certificate.

We've already heard that Sleep, Baby, Sleep by Dr. Maryann Cusimano Love has been very popular with our families. According to the author, "Every parent has hopes and dreams for their children - that they will play and explore, learn and grow. That they will experience life's many wonders and persevere through its many challenges. That they will one day leave the protection of home and go off into the world - strong, happy, knowing that they are always loved."

Such books inspire the mind, touch the heart and help prepare your child for school. Your photos can also help express your hopes and dreams for your child too! Submit your digital photos, which will be showcased in our community and featured on our website, e-newsletter and facebook page, before December 31, 2010 for a chance to win.

Just go to www.onliteracy.org/imagination-library for more information on submitting your photos and enter to win our photo contest. You may also contact us at info@onliteracy.org or 428-8129. We're really looking forward to seeing your photos!

Statewide NYS Literacy Zone Summit Held in Syracuse

The 2nd Annual NYS Literacy Zone Summit was held here in Syracuse at the Double Tree Hotel (Carrier Circle) on September 28 and 29, 2010. Our County Executive Joanie Mahoney welcomed participants and the Summit provided us all with a wonderful opportunity to see what is happening at Literacy Zones across the State and to highlight the progress that has been made at our two Literacy Zones here as well.

Literacy Zones, a "Made in New York" reform initiative developed by the NYS Board of Regents and the NYSED, are intended to provide a systemic focus on meeting the literacy needs of communities, from birth through adult. Of the 18 designated Literacy Zones across the State, two are here in Syracuse (North and West).

At the Summit, Robert Purga, Supervisor, NYSED Adult Education and Workforce Development team, was recognized for his dedication and commitment to adult literacy, and for the opportunity he has made available to families in all parts of New York State through his vision of Literacy Zones. And, the NYSED Literacy Zone's website was also unveiled. Take a look at www.nys-education-literacy-zones.org and learn more about the LZ Summit 2010 as well.