APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – An Appleton-based literacy program that brings parents and children together celebrated an important milestone on Thursday.
The Appleton Even Start Family Literacy program has been helping parents and children alike for 25 years. The program teaches adults employability skills and provides classes for kids.
The program works in collaboration with Fox Valley Technical College and the Appleton Area School District and original was started through a federal grant.
Colette Kolb, Associate Dean of General Studies at Fox Valley Technical College and director of the program, describes how they’ve lasted this long.
“Over the years that funding at the federal level has gone away,” explains Kolb. “But the organizations thought this was such a critical need that we found ways to support it ourselves.”
For more than two decades the program has helped individuals of any age earn a high school diploma and has taught employability skills while providing classes for young children.
Kolb describes the unique dynamic.
“We have parents and children between the ages of six weeks and five years of age who are actually coming to school at the same time,” explains Kolb.
And these two groups aren’t completely separated as the education overlaps.
“The parents and the children come together and do interactive literacy activities together,” says Kolb.
The 25-year celebration was held at the Community Early Learning Center in Appleton as both past and present participants gathered for a short program.
