Readers2Leaders Dalton/Whitfield

In 2012, the Greater Dalton, Georgia community launched Readers to Leaders as a long term workforce development strategy to create a pipeline of well-prepared, educated talent.  The effort was created after area employers voiced difficulties in finding qualified employees despite the area’s aggressive unemployment rate (in 2009, Dalton earned the distinction of having the highest unemployment rate in the nation). 

 

In a public ceremony, civic leaders from every community stakeholder entity came together and pledged to get every student reading at grade level by the third grade.  Following that ceremony, local volunteers and non-profits hosted the first annual Book Blast, a celebration of community literacy.  Although organizers expected only 200 participants, over 2,000 individuals showed up. 

 

Through the support of the University of Georgia’s public service platform and the AmeriCorps Vista program, Readers to Leaders has grown from a simple declaration and celebration in 2012 to a maturing literacy effort with a robust roster of literacy and education programs.  Examples of our work include:  

• Power Lunches, a free book distribution and reading program at summer                                                                                  USDA feeding sites to mitigate loss of learning from “summer slide.

• Book Nooks, 19 fully stocked free-standing bookcases placed in public                                                                                   gathering places throughout Dalton and Whitfield County.

• Reach Out and Read, a book distribution program implemented through                                                                                         area pediatrician offices where parents receive free books and instruction                                                                                     on developmental milestones to look for at well child visits.

• Saturday Academy, a school readiness program that simulates a pre-school                                                                           classroom for families on Saturday mornings.

• Ms. Frizzle School Visits, a volunteer staffed effort in which “Ms. Frizzle” from                                                                               the Magic School Bus book series visits local school to share science and                                                                  literacy programming.

• Pre-K Registration, at which Readers to Leaders provides every child                                                                                             with a book and a fun literacy-themed reading area.