The Providence Rotary Club has dedicated the largest share of its philanthropy to supporting literacy education in Providence's public schools. In collaboration with school and district leaders, we have selected and purchased innovative literacy teaching tools valued at more than $150,000, funded by club members as well as generous corporations and individuals in the community.
 
It began as a hands-on project when dozens of Providence Rotarians helped brighten the hallways at Harry Kizirian Elementary School with brightly colored paint on doorways and display boxes.
 
It grew with the vision of George Babcock that the Rotary Club of Providence could make a significant mark by focusing our philanthropy and volunteerism on advancing literacy in the Providence Public Schools — a vision that was adopted enthusiastically by club members.
 
Its growth was enabled by Pete Brock’s concept of Legends for Literacy, a dinner gala now in its fourth year of raising tens of thousands of dollars to provide literacy education materials for the students and teachers of Providence.
 
Its content has been shaped by close collaboration between our club’s Literacy Committee and the teachers, literacy coaches and administrators of the Providence Public School District.
 
Its $65,000 grant for the 2022-23 school year includes:
Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Program with daily play-based lessons to help all PPSD Kindergarten and first grade students master basic reading skills
Piloting the Reading Horizons Discovery program at the Kizirian and George J. West elementary schools
Sustainability funding to allow reuse of previously purchased items
 
If you would like to take part in this effort to address one of the most critical issues facing Providence, please CLICK HERE to learn how you can become a member of the Rotary Club of Providence.