CHRISTIANSBURG – A summer reading program organized by Community Housing Partners (CHP), a nonprofit provider of affordable and sustainable housing throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, has connected more than 400 children and teens in Virginia and Florida with books, snacks and reading opportunities.
Designed to stave off the “summer slide” or the loss of academic progression between school years, the CHP Reads! Summer Reading Program has been especially important this year for youth and their families juggling modified schedules, new learning formats, and in some cases, a return to the classroom after a longer-than-usual summer break.
This year, CHP Resident Services reached 437 children and teens at 14 CHP apartment communities in Virginia and Florida. Of these, 189 youth signed up for regular book drop-offs over a six-week period and another 248 participated in one-time literacy events.
Participating properties in the New River Valley were Linden Green Apartments in Christiansburg and Laurel Woods Apartments and Meadowview Apartments in Pulaski.
“Over the summer, students had fewer opportunities to engage with their peers and individuals outside their family due to COVID-19,” said Tiffany Slusher, the director of programs for CHP Resident Services. “National research shows that youth who participate in summer reading programs like ours have better performance on reading achievement tests at the beginning of the next school year than those who did not participate. The average student loses about a month of academic learning every summer.
“CHP staff and volunteers gave out 3,844 books through CHP Reads! in 2020,” Slusher said. “That’s about 1,400 more books than last year. We are thrilled to have this level of engagement despite the challenges that came with the pandemic.”
Launched in 2019, the CHP Reads! Summer Reading Program originally featured book fairs, lending libraries and other reading programs. CHP Resident Services retooled the 2020 program to meet new safety standards in response to COVID-19.
Starting in July, the revamped program offered contactless delivery drop-off of books, at-home literacy activities and a community reading chain challenge. Enrolled youth received at least two books every week to read, enjoy and keep.
“We are grateful for our donors and volunteers who helped make this program happen,” said Slusher, who said 2,875 books were donated this year and 29 volunteers gave 160 hours to the program. In addition, CHP received a $1,000 donation from First Book, a nonprofit that provides books, learning materials, and other essentials for children in need, and from KPMG through the KPMG Family for Literacy Program supporting children from low-income families.
While the program has come to a close for 2020, families with children and teens at CHP apartment communities can follow CHP Connects on Facebook to find additional resources and support from CHP Resident Services.
