BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (June 20, 2024) — AmFirst recently partnered with Better Basics and WVTM 13 in a three-part sponsorship initiative to raise awareness and support literacy efforts in the region. Better Basics is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating illiteracy among children in Central Alabama.
Facts About Literacy in Alabama:
• 16% of Alabamians struggle with illiteracy.
• 79% of low-income children enter kindergarten without full alphabet knowledge.
• Children not reading at grade level by third grade and living in poverty are 13 times less likely to graduate high school.
• 60% of low-income families lack children’s books at home.
Sponsorship Highlights:
1. Awareness Campaign: AmFirst, WVTM NBC 13 and Better Basics launched an awareness campaign highlighting the urgency of addressing illiteracy in Central Alabama, emphasizing the critical need for early intervention.
2. Book Drive: In response to the campaign, AmFirst organized a book drive across its locations, resulting in the donation of over 1500 books. These books will be utilized by Better Basics teachers to support students in improving their reading skills, with each student receiving a book to take home, aiming to bridge the gap in low-income families’ access to children’s literature.
3. Better Basics Reads Initiative: As a culmination of the campaign, AmFirst volunteers participated in the Better Basics Reads initiative, engaging with local schools to read to classrooms. Over 20 volunteers from AmFirst took part in this event, spreading the joy of reading and fostering literacy engagement in the community.
“We were thrilled to be able to help highlight the need for early intervention in education along with donating books to help support the tremendous efforts of Better Basics. We also love seeing our employees engaged in hands-on volunteer efforts with Better Basics Reads,” stated Bill Connor, President and CEO of AmFirst.
Connor also volunteered by reading to one of the classrooms during the reading event.
For more information about Better Basics and its programs, visit betterbasics.org.
###
About AmFirst
America’s First Federal Credit Union (AmFirst) is a community-chartered credit union with 21 branch locations in 13 counties throughout Alabama. With more than 200,000 members, AmFirst is one of the strongest credit unions in the nation and is committed to providing cost-effective financial services and quality member service.
Leave a Reply