Houston Public Library | Family Learning Celebration

 

On November 7, more than 50 people braved the stormy weather in Houston to attend Houston Public Library’s National Family Literacy Month celebration at McCrane Kashmere Neighborhood Library, a Toyota Family Learning site since 2013.

These 19 families visited stations where books were brought to life through puppetry; families were able to play Wii sports and participate in mentally-stimulating games; and families engaged in an open and honest conversation about family nutrition, guided by NCFL’s Healthy Family Habits and the Wonderopolis Wonder “What is the Best After-School Snack?” 

Families also engaged in a Family Service Learning exercise by discussing problems in the community and brainstorming together  how they might collectively better their Houston community. Topics included: addressing litter; helping the homeless; volunteering in schools; reading to classes and helping teachers; and feeding the hungry.

Community-based social service and family-centered organizations were also on-hand to share information about available educational resources, programs, and services for families. Those partners were Houston Public Library, Collaborative For Children, Houston Food Bank, City of Houston Parks & Recreation, Be Covered Texas, and the Ryan White Planning Council.

“Families United Now (F.U.N.) @ HPL – A Family Celebration served as a powerful way to connect families with the library, critical resources in their community and with each other,” said Nicole H. Robinson, deputy assistant director, Houston Public Library.

“It was perfect,” said parent participant Raquel Garcia.

Houston Independent School District Board Trustee and Former City Council Representative Wanda Adams was so moved by the program that she requested to have a holiday version of the program implemented in December at the Vinson Neighborhood Library to support schools within her district of over 28 schools.

“Spending time together as a family is important to the development of children, but also to parents who need the support to be the best they can be,” said Robinson. “We are thrilled to be part of the learning process for both parents/caregivers as well as children in our community.”

Houston Public Library is an organization that serves one of the largest service areas – both population and area – in the country. More than 2 million residents in the City of Houston are the primary beneficiaries of a comprehensive customer-focused service delivery strategy.