Reading program strives to promote health through literacy
Looking beyond the traditional concepts of promoting community health, Methodist’s Mission Integration Division launched an innovative new program in 2019 to promote literacy among Memphis elementary students as a critical step in promoting health literacy and overall health.
With grant funding from the Urban Child Institute, Methodist partnered with BookNook, an interactive, digital reading and language platform, to launch the Congregational Collective for Reading Literacy.
“We recognize that low health literacy serves as a key social determinant of health,” said Albert Mosley, Senior Vice President and Chief Mission Integration Officer for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. “Through our community and congregational relationships, we are exploring the impact that reading literacy plays in health literacy. This unique program is working to improve reading levels among the students we are serving in order to positively impact their future health outcomes.”
In the first year, utilizing existing partnerships in the faith community through the Congregational Health Network, Methodist launched after-school and summer reading programs at 12 congregations and faith-based sites utilizing the BookNook tablet-based curriculum, which focuses on core reading competencies and offers opportunities for students to read alone, challenge each other, and participate in team building exercises.
“Third grade reading is a predictor not just of academic and economic success, but of lifelong health and well-being,” said Michael Lombardo, CEO and Founder of BookNook. “It is unacceptable that reading scores have not improved in the United States in the last 10 years, and we are excited to work with Methodist and Urban Child Institute on this extremely important work for hundreds and eventually thousands of Memphis students.”
So far, this program has served 979 Memphis students in kindergarten through 5th grade and is already seeing positive outcomes.
Among students who participated in the reading program during the 2019 summer break, 95% either maintained or improved their reading level - a marked advancement from the common loss of reading level proficiency that occurs during summer months.
For the partner sites hosting the program, the BookNook platform and program resources are enhancing their after-school and summer ministries. Charon Hubbard, Program Director at the Emmanuel Center, shared, “BookNook helps so much with our program management. We love that the kids can sign on when they get here and start interacting, and then when a full group arrives they can all do activities together. It really is fun, and the kids love it.”
In 2019, Urban Child Institute renewed their funding for the program to continue and expand to serve more children throughout 2020-21.
Gary Shorb, Executive Director of the Urban Child Institute and former Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare President & CEO, shared, “The Urban Child Institute’s focus on early childhood literacy led to discussions with Methodist about the evidence-based application of technology through BookNook. Methodist’s commitment to mission, enthusiasm for the work, and faith-based connections through the Congregational Health Network made them the perfect partner.”