Square One Family Literacy Program

Program Overview

The Square One Family Literacy Program is unique based on its creative design of in-school, on-site family engagement activities and events provided in conjunction with strengths-based personal home visits. Many programs offer site-based family events, however, Square One's programming integrates the need for families to engage on a variety of levels. We utilize the evidence-based curriculum Parents As Teachers as a framework to interact with children, educators and parents. This nationally-recognized program is specifically designed to promote strong family learning environments leading to improved school readiness and family wellness. Square One strongly believes that the connection between school and home creates a significant difference in a child's academic achievement and school readiness. Our program design addresses the existing gap and lack of services for families by offering a combination of family engagement activities focused on literacy, language, and social-emotional development with individualized home visits. In addition, we offer an on-site HiSET (high school equivalency test) instruction and preparation for eligible participants.

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

Melodie Hernandez, 24, is enrolled in the program while living in a shelter with her two children. While her ultimate goals are to "attend college and get a good-paying job," right now she's concentrating on passing her exam. Thanks to Square One, Hernandez's children have access to childcare in the same building where she's receiving instruction in the Learn and Earn program. Square One provides transportation for the children each morning, and Hernandez uses her bus pass to catch two buses each day to attend the program. "The staff and the teachers are very helpful and loving, and they help us a lot with anything that we need if we have a question," Hernandez said. Every Friday, instead of regular classroom time, participants learn about work readiness, strengthen literacy and study basic interview and résumé-building skills, take field trips and partake in job shadowing with area businesses. "We're so excited that we're able to support parents in this very important part of their lives," says Square One case manager Imani Zavala. "It's a way out of poverty and being able to provide for their children."