Ebonee Bryant is a recipient of services from United Way Impact 100 partner Turn the Page KC. Recently, she shared her story of how these vital literacy intervention services have changed her family’s lives during our Purses for Promise event. Here’s Ebonee’s inspiring story, in her own words.
My most cherished role is being a mother. I have a total of six children: one in heaven, two grown adults, and three little ones still at home.
I grew up in the 90s and the way we did everything from math to reading wasn’t the same as how my kids are learning now. So sometimes there are barriers, but we work through it to get things done. Having a partner to help my kids be successful has been huge.
Three years ago, volunteers with Turn the Page KC showed up at my door to tell me about a new program called Read 360. That door knock–changed my life actually.
We just had a really pleasant conversation about education and literacy and how it was important to me and my kids. I actually make my kids read every day. So it was really refreshing to have a program in the neighborhood that actually catered to and cared about our kids’ reading and academic levels.
I decided not only did I want my children to be a part of this program, but I wanted to get involved. I’m now in my third year of volunteering. I never miss a Literacy Council meeting, or an opportunity to take my children on field trips organized by Turn the Page KC.
I know this program works. With my son MickAilen, I’ve seen tremendous growth in his enthusiasm for reading. With my son Micah, who has ADHD, his reading scores from the beginning of this school year, have jumped 100 points. He is now reading at grade level.
Read 360 provides us access to lots of free books, along with culture-enriching field trips that I’ve seen help spark my children’s imaginations. Living in the urban core of Kansas City, sometimes it’s hard to access services, but Turn the Page KC makes it not only possible—but accessible for all. Even if you don’t have transportation, they’ll help find ways for you to attend Literacy Council meetings, so you can connect with other parents in the community, and that’s so valuable. No one is left behind, and I love that.
Because I’ve seen how this program has truly changed my life, and helped my sons. I tell everyone I can about Read 360. I have a stack of flyers in my car, and will stop parents I see and talk to them, and explain how it helped my family and can help theirs, too.
I see happiness in my children. I also know I am a part of something that’s so much bigger than me.
The growth and passion for learning I’ve seen in my children, has inspired me to keep learning and growing, too. I’m currently attending college full-time with hopes of opening my own nonprofit one day to bring needed services all under one roof, to keep giving back to Kansas City.
To every person who gives in support of this early learning programming, thank you for believing in this vision. When we invest in every part of our community, great things happen. By supporting United Way and Turn the Page KC, you’re helping build up our educational community. You’re allowing our children to achieve big things and dream even bigger.
In Read 360, we love each other. We embrace each other. We’re here to help whenever another family is in need—whether that’s homework, financially, or just having someone to listen to. We are a community, a family. I’m so grateful that because you support United Way, you’re now a part of our family, too.