Service 9/15/21 (Learning Outcome 6)

During an event for NCL, we were each asked to make a few cards for the organization Literacy Now. These cards are meant to be encouraging for young readers to motivate them to keep going even if it is challenging. I always enjoy small projects like this, because they show how much something so small can change a persons day. Even though one card may only take me 5 minutes, by adding colors and encouraging words I can help a student learn and hopefully improve their reading skills. Reading is super important and I think it can be highly tied to success. Learning how to read and speak well at a young age is important, but if you don't always have parents around to help or support you--which is the case of many of these students--can be difficult. By making these cards, even if there is not a parent or other family member actively there supporting a child, that child is getting the support they need just from a little card. It is something that can encourage them to keep going even if it's challenging and help them know that there are people who care and are supportng them as we continue to learn. The cards I created were small, but I hope the colorful markers I used and the encouraging words can help to change some of these young readers days. 

This service work is a part of learning outcome 6. While literacy rates continue to increase around the world, for those who don't have this ability they can be very disadvantaged. Or even just being a little behind at reading can make all areas of school and life more challening. Keeping up in classes while not having the same reading ability can make it difficult to succeed and portray your ideas in the best way possible. By helping students learn to read, even if I'm just working in Houston, maybe it can inspire these students tot take this inspiration and encourage others to read in the future.