Congratulations to our July 2025 grant awardee East Side Learning Center. We chose ESLC for its work in bringing our community together and for providing reading initiatives.

Executive Director Karmit Bulman says, “East Side Learning Center seeks funding for the Summer 2025 Spark: Igniting Young Minds Through Reading & Creativity program. During the summer, literacy programming is provided to students and their families. The program includes one-on-one reading tutoring, reader’s theatre and literacy games and activities. Parents and siblings are invited to gather weekly for literacy activities and a meal. This program currently serves residents of Liberty Plaza Housing Development, a subsidized residential community serving a large population of Somali immigrant families. Tutors use strengths-based approaches that incorporate a deep respect for each child as a person, and for the child’s family, culture, and language. There is also an emphasis on parent involvement; children and family members work together on foundational skills, such as letter recognition, decoding, and sight word vocabulary. By building these skills with parents, literacy becomes a family affair!

“Family Engagement Evenings: during the summer, as well as a few times during the school year, ESLC hosts family-friendly events. During the summer, families come together weekly for a meal and to join in on literacy activities and see Reader's Theater performances.”