photo courtesy County of Hawaiʻi

(BIVN) – Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth on Tuesday announced he is kicking off a new campaign to encourage reading on the Big Island.

From the County of Hawaiʻi:

Mayor Mitch Roth emphasized his commitment to early childhood learning by kicking off a “Reach Out and Read” campaign earlier today alongside Hawaiʻi County’s new Early Childhood Resource Coordinator, Angela Thomas, in Hilo. The “Reach Out and Read” program aims to put books into the hands of families with young children to encourage a love of reading and support early learning. Today’s first delivery was to Dr. Angela Lind at the Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center. Her son, Mario, was the first to get a book and special reading by Mayor Roth.

“Fostering lifelong learners is a key component to creating a sustainable future for our island that will allow families to thrive and succeed here for generations to come,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “Our administration is committed to solving the many issues plaguing our keiki and their parents and will continue to invest in programs that build childcare capacity, bolster workforce development in the childcare industry, and support the health and wellbeing of our local families.”

“Reach Out and Read” is a national nonprofit that champions the positive effects of reading to keiki daily and engaging in other language-rich activities with young children by distributing age-appropriate books to families through pediatricians and health clinics.

Four offices on the island are already involved in the program, and now, with the County’s funding and support, it is possible to offer the program to all pediatricians or other practitioners who see babies/young children for wellness checks.

The first shipment of 5,000 books was received last month and is being divided with 2,500 available for distribution on each side of the island.

Additionally, Thomas has convened a working group of early childhood education providers and professionals who will provide input into the island’s needs. “It has been some time since early childhood professionals have been called on to participate in their industry initiatives,” said Angela Thomas, Early Childhood Resource Coordinator. “This initiative has been prioritized because of our declining third-grade reading scores. Reading at grade level in third grade is an important marker for future success, not only in school but also in life. Giving our keiki every chance to succeed is a priority for this administration”.