Tanya Mcallister’s Post

The average cost of a backpack filled with the basic tools a student needs to fully engage with learning is now $100 (or more). As more and more families are considered low to very low income in the Bay Area—a whopping 46%—equipping their student children each year is quickly becoming a goal they can only dream about. Why are we talking about equipping kids when the school year is almost over? Because it takes 6 months to prepare and provide the tens of thousands of backpacks we distribute to students each August. Learn more about why backpacks are important and how FGT is seeking to Empower, Uplift and Unite the community. https://lnkd.in/gxDGjvtm

🎉 Big News from the Student Basic Needs Coalition! 🎉 We’re excited to share that SBNC has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. This grant will enable us to expand our peer navigator program to more community colleges, helping thousands of students gain access to SNAP benefits and tackle food insecurity. Community colleges are a vital gateway to education for students from low-income backgrounds, yet many eligible students still face barriers to receiving SNAP benefits. The SNAP gap—where students miss out on benefits they’re entitled to—can have serious consequences, from increased stress to lower academic performance. Thanks to this generous grant, we’re expanding our peer navigator program, where student leaders with lived experience guide their peers through the SNAP application process. These peer navigators play a critical role in reducing stigma and making the process more accessible. We’re also creating a new full-time Campus Program Manager role to oversee these efforts and ensure more students get the support they need. This initiative is about more than just increasing SNAP enrollment—it’s about creating a sustainable model that can be replicated across other schools, amplifying our impact. We’re incredibly grateful to the Annie E. Casey Foundation for their commitment to this crucial work. Stay connected with us as we continue to push forward in our mission to make college more affordable and accessible for all students. Learn more about this initiative and how you can get involved: https://lnkd.in/gsYfE7dz #SocialJustice #StudentAdvocacy #SNAPGap #FoodInsecurity #CommunityColleges #StudentLeaders #SBNC #HigherEducation #CollegeAccess #PeerSupport #NonprofitOrganization #EducationEquity #StudentSuccess #CampusCommunity #AdvocacyWork #SocialImpact #StudentAffairs

Here is an eye-opener: According to a study by the Literacy Trust, students who had an author visit were twice as likely to read above their expected level for their age compared to those who didn’t have an author visit. A survey by Scholastic found that 68% of students reported being more excited about reading after an author visit, and 40% of teachers observed an increase in students' independent reading following a visit. Research from the National Literacy Trust shows that 56% of students said they enjoyed reading more after meeting an author, with 70% of students more likely to recommend books to their friends. There are dozens of more studies on how author visits and speakers positively impact students yet in many schools across the national they A. Don't see value in it & B. Don't have the funding for it. That is why I started the non-profit EmpowerLit-Literacy & Beyond to create a world where every child, regardless of background, feels valued and connected, with the literacy skills to navigate life's challenges. Our goal this year is to visit 25 under privileged schools to give them the same experience I was given as a child through my education as a student in the Sayville Public School District This year we have 10 schools already lined up & we are waiting for funding from every day people like yourself who want to increase a love for learning through author visits Check out my new organization & if you feel inspired, donate to sponsor a school: https://lnkd.in/gH9ku3ht

Effective parent involvement can have significant benefits for children. It promotes communication between home and school, enhances student learning, and creates a responsive and engaged school community. By using strategies such as communication, volunteering, attending school events, participating in parent-teacher conferences, joining parent-teacher associations, and attending workshops, parents can play an important role in their child’s education. #ParentEngagement #EducationMatters #FamilyFirstLearning #EmpoweredParents #SchoolCommunity #ParentPartnership #SupportingEducation #LearningTogether #ParentalInvolvement #EducationForAll

Effective parent involvement can have significant benefits for children. It promotes communication between home and school, enhances student learning, and creates a responsive and engaged school community. By using strategies such as communication, volunteering, attending school events, participating in parent-teacher conferences, joining parent-teacher associations, and attending workshops, parents can play an important role in their child’s education. #ParentEngagement #EducationMatters #FamilyFirstLearning #EmpoweredParents #SchoolCommunity #ParentPartnership #SupportingEducation #LearningTogether #ParentalInvolvement #EducationForAll

Effective parent involvement can have significant benefits for children. It promotes communication between home and school, enhances student learning, and creates a responsive and engaged school community. By using strategies such as communication, volunteering, attending school events, participating in parent-teacher conferences, joining parent-teacher associations, and attending workshops, parents can play an important role in their child’s education. #ParentEngagement #EducationMatters #FamilyFirstLearning #EmpoweredParents #SchoolCommunity #ParentPartnership #SupportingEducation #LearningTogether #ParentalInvolvement #EducationForAll

Yes, literacy levels in the UK appear to be declining 😥 skills gap is widening the silver tsunami is here. Recent reports indicate a notable drop in both reading enjoyment and frequency among children and young people. For instance, the National Literacy Trust's 2023 survey found that only 43.4% of children and young people aged 8 to 18 enjoyed reading in their free time, the lowest since the survey began in 2005. Additionally, only 28% of this age group reported reading daily, a significant decrease from 38.1% in 2005 (National Literacy Trust) (National Literacy Trust). I am supporting Bookmark Reading Charity and have made a donation today. Get behind something big and join them in The Childhood Trust's #BigGive #ChampionsForChildren campaign! Every donation will be doubled at no additional cost to you – one donation, twice the impact. 📅 Their project will deliver volunteer-led reading support, brand new books and The Story Corner magazine to thousands of children falling behind with their reading. Did you know that currently more than 1 in 5 children aged 5-8 don’t have a book of their own at home? You have the power to change that. 📗£10 with match funding could gift more than 20 children a Bookmark Story Corner magazine to read at home over the school holidays 📘£25 with match funding could gift 10 high-quality, brand-new books to a school for children to enjoy Donate and make a real difference ➡️https://lnkd.in/ebugJT-8 #BookmarkReading #Charity #BigGive #Donate #Reading #ChampionsForChildren #London Future Water BUILDOFFSITE

Education is the key to a brighter future, and these incredible Texas-based nonprofits are making a difference! 1️⃣ The Texas Education Foundation – Providing scholarships and resources to underserved students. 2️⃣ A+ Texas – Supporting teachers with innovative tools and professional development. 3️⃣ Texas Literacy Initiative – Promoting literacy through community-based programs. 4️⃣ The Texas Alliance of Black School Educators – Advocating for equitable education for all students. 5️⃣ Mission Possible Texas – Empowering youth through after-school programs and mentorship. These organizations are paving the way for a more inclusive and accessible education system in Texas. Let’s support their efforts! #EducationMatters #NonprofitSupport #TexasEducation #TechForGood #PledgeSoftware

Our Vision: Breaking Barriers to Education At The Simba Trust, our vision is clear: - To break barriers to education. - To create pathways for children to thrive. - To empower them with opportunities to build brighter futures. Every child deserves access to education, yet too many face obstacles that hold them back. From financial challenges to a lack of resources, the barriers are real—but they’re not insurmountable. With your support, we’re working to ensure children have what they need to succeed. This is just the beginning. Stay tuned as we share updates from our first project and stories of the lives we’re changing together. 💛 Together, we can create lasting change. Join us in making education accessible to all children. #EducationMatters #EmpowermentThroughEducation #NonProfitImpact #SimbaTrust #ChildrenFirst Comment below: What inspires you to make a difference?

Code Read, a nonprofit promoting literacy by providing books to children in need, has partnered with renowned automotive shop West Coast Customs to launch a custom bookmobile for underserved youth in Los Angeles. The one-of-a-kind mobile bookstore aims to break down barriers to literacy by bringing free books directly to low-income communities. 'The bookmobile is an amazing way for us to reach more kids and communities than ever before,' said Madelyn Krestul, age 16, Code Read Senior Ambassador. 'We're so excited for the new opportunities it brings for our programs.' 'Partnering with West Coast Customs to create this incredible bookmobile will allow us to reach even more children and spark a love of reading in communities across Los Angeles,' added Mackenzie Robin Krestul, Founder and President of Code Read. The eye-catching bookmobile, designed by West Coast Customs, will travel to schools, community centers, and neighborhoods across Los Angeles, hosting reading events, storytelling sessions, and book distributions. 'We are happy to be in partnership with Code Read and creating this bookmobile is a great opportunity for West Coast Customs to be able to give back to our community and getting kids excited about reading,' said Ryan Friedlinghaus, West Coast Customs Founder and CEO. #literacy #education #community #booksmobile #coderead #westcoastcustoms CODE READ INC