Reading proficiency has been a core priority for ROC the Future Alliance since our founding.
Recently, our Parent Engagement Collaborative Action Network hosted a Daddy-Daughter Literacy Date Night—a special event designed to strengthen engagement among Black and Brown fathers and boost literacy development among young readers. Twenty-three families registered.
The evening featured fun, hands-on literacy activities and free books to encourage family reading and learning at home. Families also received giveaways and data insights to help parents better understand the critical role they play in supporting their child’s literacy journey.
Today, third-grade literacy in our community has risen to 19%, up from 10% in 2017. Research consistently shows that children who build strong early reading skills are more likely to excel academically and succeed in life. The foundation developed in kindergarten through third grade shapes students’ long-term opportunities and outcomes.
To help communities strengthen this foundation, the StriveTogether Early Grade Reading Outcomes Playbook offers a comprehensive guide to the latest research and best practices in early literacy. It equips community leaders with tools to identify opportunities, co-design strategies with families, and build collective support for meaningful investment in early reading.
If you’d like to directly support literacy and kindergarten readiness, apply to Early Learning Corps, through our new partnership with Ampact, to become a tutor and spend your days talking, singing, playing, reading and writing with children to help them build their skills and confidence.
View our photo gallery here: Photos
We offer our sincere appreciation to our sponsors who made Daddy Daughter Literacy Date Night possible:
Tom and Donna Proietti
For sponsoring the warm meal enjoyed by all families.
Let’s Get LIT (Clianda Florence, M Ed) –
For providing culturally relevant books, family reading night basket books, and In This Moment titles for fathers.
Rochester Education Foundation –
Our first culturally relevant book contributor, ensuring every daughter went home with meaningful stories.
University of Rochester Hoekelman Center for Health Beyond Medicine –
For donating Joli Kits filled with literacy tools and books.
Wegmans
For providing the beautiful carnation flowers given to each princess.
Monroe County Library –
For providing the electronic application process that allowed each family to apply for or renew their library cards for dad and daughter.