Our Programs

LINC provides a scaffolding of support that increases both children’s and parents’ access to literacy-building opportunities, raises expectations, generates an understanding of grade-level literacy skills, and provides simple reading strategies to support parents in helping their children, regardless of their own ability to read or speak English.

Community Programs

Reading Everywhere Celebrations

Organize the community around enrichment activities that emphasize the message that, “Reading success is a community-held value.” Whether a simple blanket spread under a shady tree at the park, literacy street fairs or a costumed animal-themed literacy celebration at a local library, these events engage community members and help cultivate a culture of reading.



Book Drives and Distribution

Book drives and distribution supports reading everywhere. Reading everywhere means books everywhere! LINC strives to educate parents and help them build home libraries. LINC partners with community organizations, local businesses, independent schools, corporate sponsors and publishing houses to collect and distribute books to low-income families. With book at home, families are able to support reading routines and reinforce the importance of reading. Find out how you can participate.



Very Involved Parent Academy (VIP)

Parents are a powerful force. They are the backbone of the LINC model. Parents have the ability to shape and influence their children’s future. LINC’s Very Involved Parent Academy celebrates our parents who wish to take a greater role in shaping the future of their communities.



Request your free children's book from LINC today!
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Collective Impact

Reads Initiative

The Pinkerton Foundation designated LINC as the lead partner for its innovative “Reads” initiatives. South Jamaica Reads and East New York Reads build a spectrum of services designed to provide continuous literacy support for children from birth through fifth grade. Started in 2013 and 2014 respectively, The Reads Initiatives are already showing promising results, including improved 3rd grade English Language Arts test scores, increased out-of-classroom literacy opportunities, and a surging awareness of the importance of reading. Our partners include, Jumpstart, City Year, Parent Child Home, Queens Library, Reach Out & Read, READ Alliance, Reading Partners, Springboard.



City’s First Readers

City’s First Readers, a New York City Council initiative coordinated by Literacy Inc., is a collaboration of nonprofits and libraries united to develop and deliver effective early childhood literacy programs in New York City. We empower parents, teachers, caregivers, and community institutions with the necessary tools to ensure that all children, regardless of their social and economic backgrounds, have a solid foundation to start school successfully, thrive academically and have the opportunity to succeed beyond their school years. Partners include Brooklyn Public Library, The Committee for Hispanic Children & Families, Inc., Jewish Child Care Association, Jumpstart, New York Public Library, Parent Child Home, Queens Library, Reach Out & Read, Video Interaction Project, Hunts Point Alliance for Children, and New Alternatives for Children.



Read The City

“Read the City” is an interactive bilingual multimedia campaign designed to raise awareness about the importance of early literacy and connect families to programming across the New York City. Featuring the beautiful illustrations created by Tomie Tomie DePaola, Paul O. Zelinsky, and Roxie Munro, Read the City’s past campaigns provided examples of how parents can integrate learning to daily activities. In addition to bus shelters and phone booths, this year’s multimedia campaign also incorporated messaging in daycare centers, pediatric offices, supermarkets, and hair salons, reaching even more families with children younger than five years old.



 

Family Programs

Parent Workshops

Early Elementary(Emerging Readers):

Parent Workshops take place at libraries, schools, daycares, and community centers. Parents learn literacy strategies to use at home and how to make literacy part of a family's daily routine. LINC shares strategies on how to recognize age-appropriate reading material, parents receive free books to build their home libraries, and get connected to community resources and public libraries. Our workshops cover a variety of topics related to literacy and education in the areas of preparing for school, making reading fun at home, and social & emotional learning activities for kids.

Parent LINC

Parent LINC prepares parents to be classroom volunteers, serving as a “stepping stone” program to our more intensive parent program, the Very Involved Parent (VIP) Academy. Schools appreciate the value of having parents as an effective classroom presence. Principals find LINC’s workshops as an effective leadership development strategy to engage parents in the Parent-Teacher Association.



Family Academies

Family Academies help families to create literacy-rich home environments for their children. Parents learn how to establish reading routines, connect with community resources across New York City, and are provided with opportunities to model literacy-building behaviors.



Early Childhood Parent Workshops (0-5)

LINC’s early childhood program uses the Five Practices of early literacy - talk, sing, play, draw, read - to support parents of children under five. LINC emphasizes the importance of early literacy with parents and caregivers and shares strategies about incorporating these practices in their daily routines.

LINC is now implementing an eight-week positive parenting workshop series, “Read to Me Little Bee” that supports language development and parent/child bonding through facilitated literacy interactions in a developmentally appropriate space.



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School Programs

Reading Celebrations Program

Each month LINC infuses the joy and importance of reading into our programs by incoroporating animal celebrations. Every month has a different literacy champion, such as the OWL (Our World of Literacy) in July and DEER (Drop Everything, Enjoy Reading) in December. These literacy champions can be found in our books, activities, and sometimes our animal mascots make an apperance to help us celebrate. LINC’s TIGER (Together In Getting Everyone Reading) program connects school administrators, teachers, and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA’s) to conduct school-wide reading success programs. TIGER celebrations are anchored in month-long read-a-thons and celebrated with a trip to the Bronx Zoo!



School Capacity Building

In schools, LINC works to build strong parent/teacher collaborations. With daycares and early childhood centers, LINC provides professional development in how to conduct engaging read alouds, facilitate child-facing programs and deepen parent involvement at home. These trainings ensure the continuum of learning and strengthen the bond between parents, teachers and facilitators.



Early Childhood Capacity Building

LINC works with schools, daycares, libraries, family facing organizations, and more to strengthen literacy learning environments. Teachers and facilitators who have access to high quality professional development are better able to serve their families, both children and caregivers.



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