PLANNING MLK Reading Challenge

Partnering with Community Organizations They worked with us on developing the events goals and learning outcomes as well as logistics. Prosper Lincoln Early Childhood Development connected us to the different Child Care facilities in Lincoln. Read Aloud Lincoln helped us source books that were sent with participants who went to the Child Care Centers.

Contacting Local Childcare Centers Contact information for local childcare centers was given to us from Prosper Lincoln Early Childhood Development. Mailers were sent to the childcare centers with instructions on how to register for the event. Registration was through GivePulse A few cold calls were made over the Winter Break 3 weeks before the event childcare centers registrations were confirmed and additional information (such as age range of the children) was collected

Recruiting Students, Faculty, and Staff The confirmed service sites were uploaded onto an event on GivePulse were participants could sign-up. The event was advertised in a few different Newsletters such as the Centers weekly newsletter. RSO that were identified as having interest areas of education, service and/or diversity were sent an email encouraging their group to participate.

Day Of MLK Reading Challenge

Participant Sign-in and Book Distribution Books were donated by Follett The books were sorted the Monday before the event occurred. After the books were sorted we would no longer add service sites to the event. Participants came to the Center for Civic Engagement 30 minutes before their assigned shift to pick up the books for their site and check-in. The sign-in process allowed hours to be verified efficiently and ensure that each site had volunteers arrive for their shift.

Outcomes MLK Reading Challenge

Statistics Put on event with the help of two community partners. Prosper Lincoln – Early Childhood Development and Read Aloud Lincoln Partnered with 30 Childcare Centers in Lincoln Approximately 5 books were given to each service site. 79 participants served an hour reading to children ages 9 months to 11 years old. 12 Participants rated experience 5 stars. 8 Participants rated experience 4 starts No ratings below 4 stars

Participant Feedback “I thoroughly enjoyed this experience with the 3rd and 4th grade students in their day care. These older students presence was due to the Holiday time off from their local Schools. We read as a group in what they called , popcorn style, a teaching activity method I was familiar with and went along with. The children, ages 8-10, were very responsive and fun to talk to in reference to MLK and other topics.” I had an awesome experience reading to the kids. They were all well behaved, the staff was welcoming, and the facility was warm and inviting. I would definitely do this again. Good opportunity to give back to the community and interact with children. Not very hard, but rewarding This was an amazing experience. I don't normally interact with a lot of children under the age of 14, so I was a bit worried that I was going to "mess it up" in some way. However, I had a very nice time. I was able to read at least 6 books - some of them two or three times - to a group of approximately 3-8 children. We had a lot of fun talking about which animals made what sounds.

Center for Civic Engagement