We'd like to introduce you to Herbert and his dad, Herbert, Sr. They’re one of the families that Awake has helped – that YOU have helped with your support of Awake.

Before participating in Awake’s Summer Reading Program, Herbert’s parents worried about him and did everything they could to help. Herbert, Sr. said:

We have always spent a lot of time working on homework with our children, and we noticed that reading was always hard for Herbert. We took him to all the local libraries to find books he would like. We read with him, sometimes reading in Spanish because our pronunciation was bad, and we made him read every single day. Nothing seemed to help. He always wanted to avoid reading and had all sorts of excuses – if it rained, he didn’t want to read, if it was sunny, he didn’t want to read. It was always like this.

Summer programs give parents and children hope

Then, the summer before 4^th grade, Herbert’s mom, Norma, ran into a friend at the grocery store who told her about Awake’s Summer Reading Program.

When we heard about the program we drove over and signed up. And we noticed the difference in Herbert right away. He liked the program. He became more confident. We noticed how much time and attention the teachers gave to the students. We admired their dedication and passion for all the kids. And it’s not just that we feel better – we can prove the difference with Herbert’s grades – they have just gone up and up. He used to get Cs and Ds, and now he has all As and one B, and in teacher conferences they talk about the difference. Our worries are gone. He knows how to handle challenges that come up, and we know he knows what to do. I feel so blessed that we found you guys. And now that Herbert gets to help by being an aide in the program, it feels like the perfect circle.

You can help

Awake is at a crucial point in our program planning. We need donors like you to help ensure that Awake's life-changing summer reading and STEM programs stay accessible to kids like Herbert. We need supporters who can help us develop new programs for the fall and beyond. You can help by purchasing a Mother's Day Craft Kit. The kits includes the supplies your little will need to make a card and bouquet of paper flowers for mom or grandma. The kit will be delivered to your home May 1-4 (Berwyn and surrounding communities only) and you'll receive an email with instructions. Thank you for supporting education programs for children in our community!

Crafting for Awake

Support Awake's Education Programs by Purchasing a Mother's Day Craft Kit!

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