The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded a $6,000 grant to The Literacy Center, formerly the Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry, in support of the new Family Literacy 360 program to being this fall.

TLC’s Family Literacy 360 program is in response to requests from the community to bring together children and their parents to develop literacy skills. The objective is to strengthen intergenerational literacy and help parents or caregivers learn that they are their child’s first teacher and that they can be successful in that role. The curriculum includes school/teacher learning/homework skills; health, wellness, nutrition; family finance, community; transportation; and computer skills.

The program is designed to increase the stability of the family through interaction and shared experience and effort. The new program partners with St. Francis School and The Deep Well Project. TLC teaches adult literacy classes at St. Francis and partners with teachers to connect these parents with their K-3 children for joint parent/child classes. Deep Well helps underserved members of the community with shelter, food, clothing and assistance to pay utility bills. More importantly, they serve families and their support will encourage families to enroll and remain in the Family Literacy 360 Program.

“It is very clear that family literacy programs work! The concept of family literacy is firmly rooted in substantial research. Results show that family literacy programs, at the very least, benefit children, parents, families as units and the larger society. This program is aimed at family sustainability,” said Pam Wall, TLC Executive Director.