Grant will Provide Books and School Supplies to Immigrant and Refugee Families

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, September 06, 2016

Early Learning Washington County, a partnership between United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and Washington County Health and Human Services to improve educational outcomes for children in Washington County, has won a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act administered by the Oregon State Library.

The $100,000 federal grant will ensure that the growing numbers of immigrant and refugee students and their families in Washington County have the books, programs and supplies they need to be ready for school and prepared to succeed. Early Learning Washington County will work directly with their key partner, Washington County Cooperative Library Services, as well as a number of culturally-specific community groups.

Abigail Elder, director of the Beaverton City Library, is excited about what this means for Washington County communities and says, "We know successful integration of immigrant and refugee families in our communities is often tied to their children's academic success. Their children are expected to do well in school, learn English quickly and contribute to the family's successful adjustment. This grant award helps us help them do that."

The federal funds will provide 3,500 family-friendly early literacy book bags to immigrant families throughout Washington County. The book bags include developmentally, culturally and linguistically appropriate books and supplies in Arabic, Chinese, English, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese. The Beaverton Library will also add more culturally and linguistically appropriate books for children and adults to their permanent collection.

"Our county's demographics are changing rapidly, and our early learning system must work to address the needs of our priority populations and assure equity," says Begoña Rodriguez-Liern, senior manager of Early Learning Washington County. "We will also purchase wordless picture books, which will enable parents to engage in storytelling with their children without the need for written language. The pictures-only books also lend themselves to creativity as the story can change with each telling!"

For more information about Early Learning Washington County, contact Begoña Rodriguez-Liern at 503-846-4732.

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