Elks Lodge 1955 Awarded Literacy Grant

Hightstown, NJ----Hightstown Lodge #1955 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has received a $10,000 Impact Grant from the organization’s national charitable giving arm: the Elks National Foundation.

Elks Lodge 1955 will partner with Better Beginnings to implement a literacy program for low-income youth.   The Elks Book Club will lead the monthly reading sessions with preschool-age and kindergarten children and their families. After each reading session, the children will complete a craft and receive a copy of the book of the month for their own personal library.  A light dinner will be served at the end of each session. 

Luz N. Horta, Executive Director of Better Beginnings, said the Elks Book Club will be another way we continue to "Shape Minds When Time Matters Most", to the most at-risk families and children”.  The Elks have been a long time supporter of Better Beginnings but it is great to have a more formal partnership that will enhance our children’s literacy skills.  It is important that we provide a strong and creative learning process that ensures that English Language Learners (ELL) and families attain pre-literacy skills and English proficiency. 

Better Beginnings always appreciates our community partners who understand how a high-quality early childhood education program prepares children to enter into public school prepared to learn and meet new challenges.