New Grants for Reading Programs in Hancock and Washington Counties

News Summary

Two schools in the Central Savannah River Area have received Georgia Early Literacy Alignment Mini Grants, totaling up to $5,000 each, to enhance early reading skills and foster collaboration between schools and childcare providers. Marvin E. Lewis Elementary and Ridge Road Primary School will implement professional development activities aimed at improving reading outcomes for students. These initiatives promise to benefit the community by sharing progress and outcomes with other educational institutions. Additionally, support for Hurricane Helene recovery and the expansion of United Way services highlight ongoing community support initiatives.

Exciting News for Reading Programs in Hancock and Washington Counties!

Hey there, CSRA community! We’ve got some fantastic news that’s sure to brighten your day. Two schools in our lovely Central Savannah River Area have recently been awarded the Georgia Early Literacy Alignment Mini Grants. This is a big deal, and it means great things for our children’s reading adventures!

What Are These Grants All About?

These mini grants can provide up to $5,000 to each selected school. The main goal? To boost early reading skills by fostering better partnerships between schools and childcare providers. By making sure everyone is on the same page, these grants help our kids get the support they need right from the start.

Who Are the Lucky Schools?

First up is Marvin E. Lewis Elementary School located in Hancock County, selected as a Round 1 partner. The excitement doesn’t stop there, though! Ridge Road Primary School in Washington County has been chosen as a Round 2 partner. Both schools are ready to dive into some professional development activities as part of this grant.

What’s Next for Our Schools?

As part of this wonderful initiative, the schools will not only be enhancing their programs but are also expected to share their progress and outcomes with other educational institutions. This means that the benefits of these improvements can ripple out into the community, helping even more children develop a love for reading.

A Helping Hand Through Stormy Weather

business recovery center has been established to assist with everything from uninsured losses to storm-related support. Located at McDuffie Woods Community Center, this center is open to help you Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. If you’re having trouble navigating government aid online, the center offers one-on-one assistance to ensure everyone gets the help they need.

Community Support in Action

ALICE households — those that are asset limited and income constrained, which now make up one in three households in the area.

Since 2023, the United Way has already provided over $54,788 in emergency payments to assist more than 400 ALICE households. Upcoming listening sessions will give community members a chance to share their insights and collaborate with the United Way team. These sessions are just one part of their outreach strategy which also includes events like a resource fair that recently served an impressive 781 families.

Changes Ahead for the Head Start Program

60 years of agency oversight. The CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority is currently awaiting the selection of new agencies to manage Head Start services across the 11 counties that it previously served. Last fiscal year, around 1,413 pupils benefited from the program. Although the EOA will continue its other vital services, they will no longer oversee Head Start programs following a recent bidding process.

Conclusion

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HERE Resources

Additional Resources

• WRDW: 2 CSRA Schools Get GA Grants to Boost Early Literacy Efforts
• Google Search: Early Literacy Grants
• WRDW: New Business Recovery Center Opens in Richmond County
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Business Recovery Programs
• NewsLeader: United Way Expanding Services
• Google News: United Way Expansions
• Augusta Chronicle: Head Start Changes in Augusta Area
• Google Scholar: Head Start Program Changes
• WRDW: Community Foundation Awards Over $660,000 to CSRA Nonprofits
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Community Foundation

Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER

AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.