Local YWCA receives summer reading grant for kids

VW independent staff/submitted information

A $2,500 Summer Reading Grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation is providing a boost to the YWCA of Van Wert County. The funding will be used to purchase books for children participating in the YWCA Summer Food Program.

YWCA officials said books serve as part of a positive behavior incentive program designed to encourage kindness, respect, responsibility, and helpfulness among participants. Throughout the summer, children can earn “Book Bucks” by demonstrating positive behaviors such as being thoughtful, respectful, and supportive of others.

Once a child earns five Book Bucks, they are rewarded with the opportunity to select and keep a book of their choice. The incentive continues throughout the seven-week program, allowing children multiple opportunities to build their own home libraries.

“We are grateful to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for supporting literacy and helping us put books into the hands of local children,” said Betsy Hamman, Director of Youth Programs. “Many of our participants have been working hard to earn books this summer, and this grant helps us continue encouraging both positive behavior and a love of reading.”

The YWCA Summer Food Program provides free meals, educational activities, and enrichment opportunities for area youth during the summer months. The addition of books helps support literacy development while making reading fun and accessible for children and families.

The YWCA is an agency of United Way of Van Wert County and is partially funded by the Van Wert County Foundation.