BY ben hollingshead, WORDS ALIVE VOLUNTEER
“Individually we are one drop. Together we are the ocean” — Ryunosuke Satoro, renowned Japanese poet
PNC Bank, as part of their Grow Up Great® initiative, has a long history of partnering with organizations at the local and national levels to develop resources and programs that help prepare young children for success in school and life. In San Diego, PNC is collaborating with Words Alive’s Family Literacy Program to engage parents to promote positive reading habits at home.
The Family Literacy Program builds on research that shows that involving families in working directly with their children on learning activities at home is the most effective form of engagement. In 2022-23, the program reached 1,411 San Diego families and has a demonstrated track record of positive outcomes. Last program year, we saw 81% growth in the number of families who reported looking at books together every day and a 125% increase in the number of families who spent 20+ minutes looking at books together.
The Family Literacy Program will be able to positively impact additional San Diego families with generous funding from PNC. What is exciting is that PNC’s support is holistic: PNC employees are encouraged to volunteer, and the bank provides them with the time and resources to do just that. PNC employees will spend their time working in partnership with Words Alive as early literacy workshop instructors, support volunteers, delivery drivers for books/materials, and family outreach volunteers to speak with families who are not attending sessions to help troubleshoot, assist with logistics, and improve access.
“PNC Bank is excited to collaborate with Words Alive to prepare children in San Diego County for success in school and in life,” Alan Prohaska, PNC Bank Regional President. “Through volunteerism, financial support and community advocacy, this partnership will truly make a difference for the youngest learners in our community.”
The soon-to-be-transformed Volunteer Collaboration Center Powered by PNC Bank
In November 2023, PNC Bank sponsored Words Alive’s Volunteer Collaboration Center to support volunteer onboarding and training activities for current and prospective volunteers who work directly with children and families, develop curriculum, and support program operations. Currently under construction, the Words Alive Volunteer Collaboration Center Powered by PNC Bank honors the 1,000+ volunteers in San Diego and across the globe that power Words Alive every year.
Words Alive is incredibly grateful for a partner who consistently aims to lean into service and the community. Together we hope to empower families to build strong reading habits to discover the growth and the magic catalyzed by the love for books.