A West Valley church is giving a kick start to the West Side Head Start Literacy in the Home program.

While teaching virtually during COVID pandemic, teachers realized many of the students and families they served had no or few children’s books. At a WSHS staff training on literacy the idea came up to start a Literacy in the Home task force.

Ultimately, the task force decided to build 22 little free libraries, one for each site and two for the home visitors. The free libraries would give families access to free, high-quality books on a “take one, leave one” basis. Magazines and books for adults will also be available.

Patty Nordahl, who works for Candelen as an early childhood coach for WSHS teachers, brought the ideas of supporting the project to the Mission Outreach Team of Desert Garden United Church of Christ in Sun City West. Initially, the support was $500 for materials to build the little free library cases.

DGUCC then decided to support the Little Free library Project for the purchase of books. Each site teacher was asked to submit a list of books representing the cultures and languages of the families served.

Teachers were also encouraged to select books applicable to the WSHS Creative Curriculum studies. The church designated a $250 grant per site for purchase of books.

The sites encompass a wide sweep of the West Valley. There are four in Avondale; two in Buckeye; one in El Mirage; nine in Glendale; one in Peoria; two in Tolleson; and one Tonopah.

To date DCUCC has purchased 600 books. Whenever possible books were purchased locally from a bilingual bookstore. Church members have had book sorting and laminating gatherings to ensure delivery of the books to each site by mid-December. They have also been treated to a Head Start display in church’s Sharing and Caring Gallery.

Shauna Winburn, professional development specialist at WSHS, explained the importance of having books accessible to students and families.

“We know that parents and caregivers are a child’s first and most important teachers,” Winburn said. “When books are available for families to read and enjoy together in the home, nearly every area of a child’s development is supported.”

Winburn also commented on the importance of Head Start partnering with the community.

“Our partnership with DGUCC embodies the true mission of Head Start. We know that our children and families benefit most when Head Start’s support is magnified by strong community partnerships. This collaboration is,” she continued, “a wonderful first chapter of a very meaningful story.”

Nordhal said there are multiple ways to support the Little Free Library Project and Head Start in general. She suggests: adopt a site to work with stocking the libraries; collect used, good quality children and adult books on an ongoing basis; and, explore with a site manager the many ways to volunteer.

For information about the Literacy in the Home or Little Free Library projects, contact Shauna Winburn by email at swinburn@cc-az.org or call 480-708-0514.