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.
Family Programs
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.
School Programs
Reading Buddies Program
Older students are paired with K-2 grade students in the classroom for weekly one-hour reading sessions during or after school. The students read to each other, share a common experience and create positive relationships. Aligned with state standards and classroom curriculums, this inclusive program is for all students from the targeted grades, including special education pupils in CTT classes.
Great Grandreader Program
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.
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
Community Programs
Reading Buddies Program
Older students are paired with K-2 grade students in the classroom for weekly one-hour reading sessions during or after school. The students read to each other, share a common experience and create positive relationships. Aligned with state standards and classroom curriculums, this inclusive program is for all students from the targeted grades, including special education pupils in CTT classes.
Great Grandreader Program
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.
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
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.