Literacy Programs
Community Reader Program
In Fall of 2021, Children First launched our first literacy program aka Community Reader Program with Williams Elementary.
Our Community Reader program’s central goal is to provide tailored literacy support through small group interventions and structured engagements. This initiative is specifically designed for students grappling with challenges in reading and reading comprehension, aiming to enhance their overall literacy skills. The program spans ten weeks, offering two-three sessions per week, with each session lasting two-three hours. To facilitate this support, we enlist the expertise of 6-9 dedicated community readers each Fall and Spring semester, and they are compensated for their valuable contributions.
In the Fall of 2024, our Community Reader Program expanded to Jefferson Elementary School where we provided tailored reading comprehension support and most importantly a love for reading to the students in most need of extra help for 20 weeks.
Last year a study ran by Wallet Hub, ranked Bakersfield as the 4th least educated city in the U.S. which only reinforced the high need for community programs like ours to help support our school partners both inside and outside of the classroom.
Story Time at the Park Series
In Spring 2025, Children First partnered with local community-based organizations to host a series of Story Time at the Park events across Bakersfield, bringing literacy-focused activities to families in multiple neighborhoods. Together with 3G Activities, Love From Above Community, and Blue Zones Project, we organized four to five events each from February through June, engaging children, teens, and parents in joyful reading experiences.
This collaborative effort was inspired by a 2024 pilot led by the Kern Literacy Council, in partnership with Supervisor Leticia Perez and Blue Zones Project, and continues to expand access to literacy in our community.
Children First organized four Story Time at the Park events in partnership with local guest readers, the Bakersfield Museum of Art (BMOA), and Firehouse Subs. Because the NiMO (Niles/Monterey) neighborhood is home to many Hispanic and Latino families, including young Spanish-speaking households, we intentionally selected books that reflected our community. Each story was shared in both English and Spanish, with guest readers taking turns in each language so children and parents could fully participate and feel included.
Each event featured a read-aloud followed by a short Q&A, along with lunch and refreshments for attendees. To complement the literacy experience, a BMOA team member led arts and crafts activities inspired by the featured book. Families were also encouraged to enjoy free play and relaxation at the park, creating a welcoming space for learning and connection.
Every child received a free copy of the book to take home, and families were often able to select additional donated books thanks to the generosity of the Kern Literacy Council and other local partners. We were able to serve 123 youth and 60 adults during our events.
Partners included: ‘Book It’ Ford Dream Builders Team, BMOA, Firehouse Subs, Bakersfield Literary Society, Calpulli Ollincan Yolotl, Kern County CA Women of Agriculture, La Paleta Company, Mendoza Party Rentals, Rent-A-Toliet, and Que Buena 105.7.
Inaugural Event: 2/8/25 | Partners: ‘Book It’ Ford Dream Builders Team + BMOA
Book read: I Can Do Hard Things / Yo Puedo Hacer Cosas Difíciles by Gabi Garcia
‘Book It” Team also helped install a little library at our park! They also installed them at a few other locations at: Vintage Cuts: 2677 Mt Vernon Ave Suite A, Jefferson Elementary: 816 Lincoln Street, and Daycare: 3501 La Costa. Check them out!
Story Time at the Park #2: 3/8/25 | Partners: Bakersfield Literary Society + BMOA + Firehouse Subs
Book Read: From North to South / Del Norte al Sur by René Colato Laínez
Story Time at the Park #3: 4/12/25 | Partners: Calpulli Ollincan Yolotl + BMOA + Mendoza Party Rentals + Que Buena 105.7 FM
Book Read: Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day Celebremos / El día de los niños/El día de los libros by Pat Mora
Story Time at the Park #4: 6/14/25 | Partners: Kern County CA Women of Agriculture + BMOA + La Paleta Company + Firehouse Subs
Book Read: Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz
