Original Six Foundation announces new programming across the state
August 18, 2020
Partnership with Bojangles, the Carolina Panthers, and the Longleaf Fund Focuses on Early Childhood Literacy
The Original Six Foundation (O6 Foundation) announced it will assume leadership of the My First Library program to provide South Carolina’s highest-need students with at-home libraries to encourage summer reading. Established in 2016, by South Carolina Future Minds, the My First Library program allows early-childhood students to stay engaged and improve reading skills during summer months.
In order to provide an early advantage, My First Library works with students in 4K and 5K to ensure they are prepared to enter the first grade. Targeting resources at this stage of development is critical to a child’s future academic success and is an under-served effort across the state.
“We could not be more excited to continue the legacy of the My First Library program. Learning to read from an early age creates a path to a successful education and future. We want every single child in South Carolina to know they are meant for great things, and give them the tools to make that possible,” said Nikki Haley, Founder and Chair of the Original Six Foundation.
A statewide organization, the O6 Foundation is well positioned to identify and invest in districts, schools, and students of greatest need – with a focus on areas identified by the South Carolina Department of Education as high poverty. My First Library book fairs will be held in the late spring to allow students to choose multiple books for summer.
“There are few things more important than instilling the love of reading in a child. By building a child’s first library, the My First Library program is giving these students a head start in achievement,” said Nicki Hood, Executive Director of the Original Six Foundation.
In four years, the program has distributed more than 35,000 books to nearly 6,000 students across the state.
In addition to the O6 Foundation, Bojangles will continue its corporate sponsorship of the program through annual in-store fundraisers benefiting literacy across the state.
Since 2016, Bojangles has raised over $48,000 strengthening reading programs in South Carolina’s public schools.
Other key community partners include the Longleaf Fund – hosted by the Foundation for the Carolinas – and the Carolina Panthers professional football team.
The O6 Foundation provides after-school programming through its Practice Makes Perfect Homework Centers, where certified instructors reinforce school-day learning and aid students in the completion of their take-home assignments. The centers provide a safe space for students after school and offers individual support from teachers and volunteers to help them achieve their academic goals.
Founded in 2011, by then-Governor Haley, the O6 Foundation believes children across South Carolina deserve a quality education regardless of where they are born and raised. The O6 Foundation works to improve education by identifying gaps and filling them through hands on engagement and resources.
To learn more or to donate, please visit: www.originalsixfoundation.org.
