FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GWINNETT COUNTY, GA. – In a compelling new interactive program that highlights local and national diversity of the community, Preface has partnered with the Gwinnett County Public Library system to host a brand-new “Libraries of Literacy” summer initiative.
Leveraging Preface’s award-winning mentorship models and virtual software, Preface has teamed up with the Gwinnett County Public Library, one of the largest library systems in the Southeastern United States, to host weekly virtual multilingual storytimes throughout the summer. These reading sessions are hosted utilizing Preface's award-winning and no-cost infrastructure, and led by Preface-trained local high school students and Preface leaders who are fluent in a variety of foreign languages, including Spanish, French, Dutch, Korean, Mandarin and Russian.
"Gwinnett County has such a wonderfully diverse population," noted Patty Reeber, the Youth Services Manager at the Gwinnett County Public Library. "With so many languages spoken, it was our goal with this program to offer storytimes in these other languages. Working with Preface, we got the chance to encourage teen volunteers to step outside their comfort zones a little bit, while introducing a variety of languages to our patrons!"
"Preface has been influential in assisting youth of many cultures to enhance their reading levels," echoed Jason DiFranco, the Library's Director of Development and Community Services. "The partnership between Preface and the Gwinnett County Public Library has been influential in expanding the opportunities for our youth to continue learning and reading on a virtual platform during the pandemic."
Thanks to Preface’s resources, the Libraries of Literacy initiative not only celebrates diverse stories, cultures, and languages. It also provides service-oriented students a way to stay connected with their classmates and their local community during the summer break.
“Especially in a place as diverse as our home of Gwinnett County, we jumped at the opportunity to partner with a leading institution like the [Gwinnett County Public] Library to showcase the incredible multilingualism of our community," said Jonathan “JT” Wu, Preface’s Founder and Executive Director. "Thanks to partnerships like these, and the spirits of service of our amazing Ambassadors, we've been able to show how the no-cost Preface model can be further tailored to enhance community-building, hand-in-hand with local libraries, local school systems, and more!"
With local leaders and stakeholders continuing to adapt the Preface model to suit their needs, this initiative is yet another demonstration of the versatility and viability of Preface's literacy framework and virtual infrastructure. As Preface works to continue uplifting communities in supercharging early childhood literacy, the launch of the “Libraries of Literacy” initiative, and its success in Gwinnett County, signals a new and exciting way for communities to partner with Preface and bring innovative local literacy solutions to their own backyards.
About Preface:
Founded in 2019, Preface is a public-private philanthropic initiative dedicated to fostering Equality Through Education and early childhood literacy - often with a multilingual twist! Partnering with educators and community leaders, Preface empowers local high schoolers to give back to their communities and bridge opportunity gaps by fostering literacy among young students of all backgrounds. A federally recognized 501(c)(3) organization, Preface is proudly headquartered in Gwinnett County, Georgia and serves communities across America. Learn more at www.PrefaceProject.org.
For further inquiries, contact:
Devon Naftzger
Chief Marketing Officer
Preface Public Relations
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