Athens-based companies joining forces to enhance reading skills in neighborhood schools
In a unique blend of hops and books, the community of Athens, Georgia, is making a significant impact on the literacy skills of Clarke County students. The program, known as 'Get Comfortable', is a literacy initiative supported by Creature Comforts Brewing Company and over 40 other local businesses.
The expansion of this program indicates a broader reach of mentorship and reading resources for students, with Fowler Drive Elementary School joining the list of participating schools this year. Dr. Jennifer Scott, Interim Superintendent of the Clarke County School District, emphasizes the importance of literacy, stating, "Literacy involves listening, thinking, writing, and reading. That's what these mentors are doing for them."
Lauren Benbrook, a second-grade teacher at Stroud Elementary, witnesses the benefits of the program firsthand. She highlights the importance of early intervention, "Early intervention is critical to closing reading gaps before they widen."
The program matches students with reading mentors from local businesses and Books for Keeps. Matt Stevens, Senior Director of Community Impact at Creature Comforts Brewing Company, explains, "Four dozen local businesses are all taking their generosity and aligning it in the same direction."
Students at both schools meet twice a week with their reading mentors throughout the school year. The program continues to show promising results, as evidenced by the literacy gains in participating schools compared to their controlled counterparts, according to UGA researchers.
In addition to mentoring, students also have access to free books through the program to prevent summer learning loss, often referred to as the "summer slide." Each summer, students at Howard B. Stroud Elementary School receive a dozen books.
The program is also making a difference for students with behavior issues, as highlighted by Benbrook. She states, "It's incredibly rewarding when those lights go on. When you have a kid who was struggling with those sight words or the phonics, and all of a sudden they turn the corner and have a revelation."
Community members are redefining what it means to brew change through this program. By partnering with Books for Keeps, local businesses are helping students improve their reading skills and build a love for books. As Stevens puts it, "It's incredibly rewarding to see the difference we're making in the lives of these students."
