To mark the beginning of 25th anniversary year, Everybody Wins DC (EWDC) is pleased to announce the expansion of shared reading programs to a 12th school, Walker-Jones Education Campus (WJEC) in Ward 6 of Washington, D.C. In celebration of the new school partnership, EWDC held a program kickoff ribbon cutting with Power Lunch partners, community supporters and students Thursday, October 17, in the new reading space.
EWDC Executive Director Jordi Hutchinson and WJEC school psychologist Dr. Loker led with remarks on the expansion:
“Shared reading has the power to change. We are so excited to bring that power here to the students, families and teachers at WJEC. It’s an exciting day for us because we are able to expand our programming to MORE students who are now able to enjoy the benefits of shared reading with a caring mentor by their side,” says Jordi.
“Every day in our morning announcements we have a saying, ‘there’s no significant learning without significant relationships,’ and Everybody Wins DC’s Power Lunch program is a shining example,” says Dr. Loker.
The new reading space – decorated by EWDC staff and Power Lunch partners – was unveiled with a “tiny scissors” ribbon cutting by WJEC students, EWDC Executive Director Jordi Hutchinson, Volunteer and Partnerships Manager Sarah Aldridge, Board Chair Mark D. Young and Board Chair Elect Arielle Elliott.
WJEC students were then welcomed into the new reading space by cheers from more than 30 mentors and supporters from neighboring organizations in the Ward 6 community.
Students were delighted by a StoryTime reading from Power Lunch partners Allison (American Petroleum Institute) and Sarah Grace (Optum/The Advisory Board). The two traded off in reading former New England Patriot, Malcolm Mitchell’s book, “The Magician’s Hat” – a story about a magician who reveals an awe-inspiring treasure from his bag of tricks — books that make every kid’s dream come true!
Following the magical reading, Allison and Sarah Grace hosted a Q+A with students about the book. The students were enamored with the fact an NFL player wrote a children’s book.
The program kickoff concluded with students picking out new books to add to their personal libraries, as part of EWDC’s Book Project.
Thank you to our Power Lunch partners, The American Petroleum Institute and Advisory Board, and guests from the District of Columbia Housing Authority and Mount Vernon Triangle CID for making today special for our students.
Interested in learning more about our programs or how you can become a mentor to a Walker-Jones student? Visit: www.everybodywinsdc.org
