HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Olympic gold medalist figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi is expanding her “Always Dream” early childhood literacy program in Hawaii.
She joined HNN's Sunrise to talk about her Always Reading program, which provides families of preschool and kindergarten children with the tools and support they need to foster early literacy skills at home.
The nonprofit partners with 13 Title 1 schools in the state, serving 550 students and 825 families across three islands, and will expand to six more schools next school year. It's a schedule. The program will serve the west side of Oahu for the first time, partnering with Nanakapono Elementary School and Waianae Elementary School, as well as adding new partnerships for Hawai'i in the Hilo area.
Last school year, Yamaguchi wanted to partner with King Kamehameha III Elementary School and Princess Nahienaena Elementary School in Lahaina, Maui. After the devastating fire, the nonprofit ceased operations and instead offered 300 copies of the book “Once I Was So Scared'' to provide social and emotional support to students. Did. Plans are underway to begin reconstruction support at schools this fall.
For AANHPI Month, Always Dream collaborates with Asian American designer Sumofish on a T-shirt design. Users can get the limited edition shirt at alwaysdream.org and receive a free His T-shirt when they sign up as a monthly donor for $25 per month.
Ms. Yamaguchi believes that literacy is the foundation for pursuing dreams, and with the support of her family, she wants to ensure that children have access to quality books at home.
“Evidence shows that students who enter school kindergarten ready and have engaged families are more likely to succeed in school. ,” she said.
The nonprofit has an ambitious goal of reaching more than 4,000 young people a year by 2027.
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