How would our communities look, feel and achieve differently if every child, not just those with means, had a place to eat and a way to keep learning over the summer months?
Communities across the country are making great gains in expanding resources in the summer for young people. And while their successes offer a reason to celebrate, NSLA challenges everyone to do more.
Imagine if every community offered these five assurances to #KeepKidsLearning every summer:
1) Keep kids learning to:
get lost in a book
Distribute books through book banks, mobile distribution and center-based programs.
Promote E-book and E-reader programs.
Implement a citywide library program and library card sign-up.
Equip parents and caregivers to support new and growing readers at home.
2) Keep kids learning to:
fuel their minds and bodies
Expand awareness and availability of summer meal programs.
Expand access to facilities, parks and programs that offer physical activity and exercise during the summer months.
3) Keep kids learning that:
hard work pays
Engage the public and private sectors to offer summer work experiences coupled with meaningful college prep coursework.
Provide college counseling, college visits and financial literacy workshops for middle and high school students.
4) Keep kids learning about the:
power of teams
Engage and equip community members and young people as volunteer tutors, reading partners, STEM mentors and summer program staff during the summer months.
Highlight local service learning opportunities and organizations during the summer.
Provide leadership development opportunities in summer programs for young people of color.
5) Keep kids learning…
anytime, anywhere
Create a community passport program to make transportation and admittance to learning centers and cultural institutions affordable and dynamic.
Ensure community hubs for broadband and digital learning access are available and accessible.
Tap into a connected learning platform to offer digital badges to recognize learning all summer.
If you are looking to #KeepKidsLearning and expand summer opportunities in your community, download the 2016 Action Toolkit, and share these ideas with your elected officials on Twitter.