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Philly Families Read Together

Weekly literacy workshops, children’s books and supplies, digital literacy training, and family supports are provided for grandparents to build their grandchildren’s reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, support their learning, and engage with schools.

Educators use a grandfamily centered approach, linking social emotional lessons with literacy, partnering with local bookstores and authors, supporting the whole family, and building home libraries with relatable characters.

An author reads his book to a group of children and their grandparent caregivers at a Philly Families Read Together workshop.
Wide Eyed Studios

General Cohort

General Cohort is for all grandfamilies with children ages 3 to 8. This initiative is primarily funded by The William Penn Foundation Family Literacy Initiative, in partnership with other foundations.

Contact
Dionne Wright-Chambers
215-487-3000 x 14
dwchambers@connectedly.org

A grandchild in the Philly Families Read Together program practices line formation.

In-person meeting locations

  • West Oak Lane Senior Center
    7210-18 Ogontz Ave
    Philadelphia, PA 19138
  • Mt. Airy Church of Christ
    7222 Germantown Avenue
    Philadelphia, PA 19119

Virtual meeting information

  • Zoom session on Thursday evenings

Letter from a participant

“Dear Dionne, I want to thank you for the wonderful grandparent reading workshops. When I found out that my seven-year-old granddaughter was reading below grade level, I was at a loss- until you and [this program] stepped in! [My granddaughter] is now reading at grade level and no longer dreads reading assignments. She loves reading signs, food boxes, recipes, game instructions- pretty much anything with words. She even wants to read her books over and over. Again, thank you for helping my granddaughter to love reading.”

In-School Cohort

In-School Cohort is for grandfamilies whose children are enrolled in K through 8th grade at Avery Harrington School or Comegys Elementary school. This initiative is primarily funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, in partnership with other foundations.

Contact
Carly Handley
215-487-3000 x 24
chandley@connectedly.org

In-person meeting locations

  • Avery D. Harrington School
    5300 Baltimore Ave
    Philadelphia, PA 19143
  • Comegys Elementary School
    5100 Greenway Ave
    Philadelphia, PA 19143
An older boy smiles while seated at a desk in a classroom while other children and a grandparent caregiver engage in a Philly Families Read Together workshop.
Wide Eyed Studios

2023 Impact

83%reported reading to their grandchild every week.

100%reported communicating with school staff.

100%improved their digital literacy skills.