GARY, IN – Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is donating $45,000 to the Gary Literacy Coalition to support its Pilot Community Reading Program, an initiative designed to help elementary and middle school students who are reading below grade level to improve literacy skills and develop a love of reading. An oversized guitar-shaped check was presented to the Gary Literacy Coalition at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.
The Pilot Community Reading Program provides targeted literacy intervention through small-group instruction, access to high-quality books, literacy kits, instructional materials, and family engagement activities. The investment from Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana will allow the Gary Literacy Coalition to expand its reach and provide additional resources that help students build reading confidence, fluency and comprehension.
The organization anticipates the funding will serve 60 to 80 K-8 students through direct literacy intervention, provide approximately 1,200 books for students and their families, and supply literacy kits and take-home resources to encourage reading beyond the classroom. The funding is also expected to increase family engagement in literacy activities and improve reading confidence, fluency, and comprehension among participating students.
“Education opens doors to opportunity, and strong reading skills provide the foundation for lifelong success,” said Matt Schuffert, President of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. “We are proud to partner with the Gary Literacy Coalition to help more people discover the joy of reading while giving families the tools they need to support learning at home. Investing in literacy is an investment in the future of our communities.”
“This generous investment from Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana will make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and families throughout Gary,” said Lori Johnson Kuykendall, Executive Director of the Gary Literacy Coalition. “Their support will allow us to place more books into children’s hands, expand literacy programming, and strengthen family engagement, helping young readers build the skills and confidence they need to succeed in school and beyond. We are grateful for Hard Rock’s commitment to our community and to the future of our children.”