ESCOT Literacy Program Kicks Off Summer Reading

ESCOT Youth Development is excited to announce the launch of the ESCOT Literacy Program, a summer reading initiative in partnership with the William P. Faust Public Library of Westland. What started as an idea quickly became a full program that is already making a difference in our community.

ESCOT Literacy Program

The program kicked off on June 29 with sixteen participants ready to dive into their books. The model is simple and effective: students read for thirty minutes to earn one hour of screen time on our iPads. They also earn entries for additional gifts and prizes through the Westland Public Library. Readers can bring their own books, choose from titles donated by the library, or access reading apps directly on the iPad.

By day two, the momentum was undeniable. Doors opened at noon, and by 12:15 PM twelve students were already settled in with their books.

On day three, the program welcomed a very special guest group: officers from the Westland Police Department came out to read with our young ladies. Having community heroes spend time with our students shows them that representation matters and that local leaders are invested in their future.

One of the most touching moments came when Patrick was spotted reading to his little brother Lamont. It is exactly the kind of moment we hoped for when this program started.

This would not be possible without the help of Cari Fry, Joanne Campbell, Patti Ball, and DeLano Hornbuckle. Thank you for helping us get this program off the ground. Teamwork makes the dream work.

Get Involved

Want to help us turn more pages? Support the ESCOT Literacy Program by visiting our Donate page. Interested in volunteering your time? Check out our Volunteer page to see how you can help. If you want to enroll a student, visit our Contact Us page to get started.