SAN JUAN, PR - For the second consecutive year, Vimenti joined the Puerto Rican Reading Marathon and the Latin American Reading Marathon to celebrate its second major reading event under the name Vimenti
Leer (or Vimenti Ama Leer).
The allies and guests had the opportunity to read different stories to Vimenti School students, from kindergarten to sixth grade, and the After School Program participants. For an entire day, the Vimenti team, collaborators, and allies gathered to participate in the event, representing the Puerto Rican Association of Counseling, the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, Puerto Rico Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA), Columpio Colectivo, Flamboyán Foundation, Cortés Foundation, Wovenware, Amar Té, PRLinks Communications, among other volunteers.
“I am very grateful for all the people who accompanied us to read aloud and support reading among our participants and students,” shared Bárbara Rivera Batista, executive director of Vimenti. “At Vimenti, we remain firm in our commitment to eradicating poverty through educational and economic development programs, according to our Two Generations model. Literacy skills are essential for academic achievement. I feel very proud of my team who coordinated this space, and I appreciate the support of all our volunteers and collaborators.”
In addition to readings in both Spanish and English, the marathon also featured an illustration workshop led by illustrator Carla Torres, a reading by Ana Castillo of her story Al ritmo de Petra, and a reading by Lara Mercado of her story Un coquí de Boriquén con los Reyes a Belén. Other stories included Centinela del mangó by Y no había Luz, Generosa, la gallinita agricultora by Tere Marichal-Lugo, How To Light Your Dragon by Didier Lévy, If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t! by Elise Parsley, and many others.
“We are very grateful and happy that all these wonderful people have contributed their time to support us in reading stories to our participants and teach them the importance of reading for the healthy development of our boys and girls,” said Paloma Rivera, Vimenti data specialist and coordinator of the reading marathon. “We designed an itinerary that facilitated the process in which all Vimenti School students and participants in the extended hours could enjoy the readings necessary for our childhood development.”
The second annual Vimenti reading marathon is part of the initiatives of the VimentiLeer program of Vimenti School. The program seeks to design specific strategies to strengthen the literacy programs at Vimenti and Vimenti School, explained Angélica Milan, Vimenti School teacher and co-coordinator of the reading marathon. “The purpose is for students to feel the urgency to read and to develop a love for reading. We seek to ensure that students achieve and exceed their recommended reading level for their grade. As well as making them responsible for their learning through reading,” Milan explained.
