A substantial grant awarded by the Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. is set to significantly bolster youth literacy efforts throughout the Frederick community, empowering a new generation of readers and future educators. Hood College’s Department of Education has been selected as the recipient of a $23,000 award, a strategic investment designed to fund a comprehensive, multi-faceted literacy initiative. This program aims to provide crucial academic support to local students from Pre-K through 12th grade by leveraging the college’s academic resources and fostering deep-rooted community partnerships. The initiative is distinguished by its two-pronged approach, which not only expands a well-established clinical program but also launches a new, accessible tutoring service to meet students where they are. This forward-thinking collaboration between the college, the foundation, and key local organizations represents a powerful commitment to closing educational gaps and building a stronger, more literate community for years to come. The effort promises to create a beneficial cycle of learning and teaching, positively impacting both the young students receiving support and the college students providing it.
A Collaborative Approach to Literacy
Strengthening a Longstanding Program
A cornerstone of the new initiative is the strategic expansion of Hood College’s renowned Summer Reading Clinic, a program with a rich history spanning more than three decades. This established clinic has long served as a vital resource for children in the community, offering targeted instruction to improve essential skills in reading, writing, spelling, and word study. With the infusion of funds from the Delaplaine Foundation grant, the clinic will now be able to extend its reach significantly by offering scholarships to a greater number of K-12 students. This financial support is critical for removing barriers to access and ensuring that high-quality literacy intervention is available to all children, regardless of their family’s economic circumstances. The program’s effectiveness is further enhanced by its unique staffing model, which is led by graduate students enrolled in Hood’s prestigious Master’s in Reading Specialization program. These aspiring reading specialists bring the latest evidence-based practices and a passion for education to their work, providing personalized support to each child while simultaneously honing their own clinical and instructional skills in a real-world setting.
Launching a New Tutoring Initiative
Complementing the expansion of the summer clinic, the grant also facilitates the creation of an innovative, year-long literacy tutoring service designed to provide consistent support throughout the academic year. This new program represents the second major prong of the initiative’s strategy and is specifically structured to maximize accessibility for local youth. Recognizing that logistical challenges can often prevent families from accessing campus-based resources, this service will be delivered directly within the community. This is made possible through a vital partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Frederick County and the Housing Authority of the City of Frederick, two organizations deeply embedded in the neighborhoods they serve. The tutoring sessions will be staffed by Hood College’s dedicated undergraduate students, offering them an invaluable opportunity for early and direct engagement in their chosen field. By embedding this academic support within familiar and trusted community centers, the program not only simplifies participation for children and their families but also fosters a stronger, more integrated relationship between the college and the broader Frederick community.
Fostering Mutual Growth and Community Impact
A Symbiotic Educational Ecosystem
This comprehensive literacy initiative has been carefully designed to create a mutually beneficial ecosystem that fosters growth for all participants. For the local youth in Pre-K through 12th grade, the program provides access to crucial, high-quality academic support that is tailored to their individual needs, helping them build the fundamental literacy skills necessary for lifelong success. The combination of an intensive summer clinic and consistent year-round tutoring offers a robust continuum of care that can significantly strengthen their academic performance and confidence. Concurrently, the program serves as a powerful professional development tool for Hood College students. Graduate-level clinicians in the Summer Reading Clinic gain hands-on diagnostic and instructional experience under expert supervision, while undergraduate tutors develop foundational teaching skills and gain a deeper understanding of the community they will one day serve. This direct engagement is an irreplaceable component of their education, transforming theoretical knowledge into practical expertise and better preparing them to be effective and empathetic educators upon graduation.
A Catalyst for Broader Development
The impact of this $23,000 grant ultimately transcended the immediate goal of funding literacy programs. The initiative became a powerful catalyst that forged stronger, more resilient bonds between higher education and essential community service providers. The collaboration between Hood College, the Boys & Girls Club, and the Housing Authority established a new and effective model for delivering academic support directly to the children who needed it most. This partnership demonstrated that by working together, organizations could achieve multiple goals simultaneously, enhancing educational outcomes for youth while also providing critical workforce development for aspiring teachers. The investment from the Delaplaine Foundation did not just purchase supplies or fund scholarships; it cultivated a sustainable framework for community engagement and mutual growth. The success of this program laid the groundwork for future collaborations, proving that strategic partnerships are one of the most effective tools for addressing complex social challenges and building a more educated and interconnected community.
