By: Kristin Cottrell
BRCC Manager and Literacy Specialist
At Brooke Road United Methodist Church (BRUMC) and Brooke Road Community Center (BRCC), we've seen firsthand the impact that books can have on young minds. Our "Readers' Night In" program has been running for just over a year now, and during that time, we’ve witnessed shifts in perspectives, not only on the value of reading but also on the importance of providing children and families with safe spaces to explore stories.
We believe in offering "mirror, window, and door” stories that reflect a child's own experience (mirror), provide a view into the lives of others (window), or offer a path into new and unfamiliar worlds (door). Through these narratives, we aim to give children a deeper understanding of the world around them and themselves.
Many families in our community do not speak English, so it was important for us to create a program that could serve everyone. We wanted to be intentional in making sure our reading programs were inclusive and welcoming to all.
One moment in particular reminded us just how significant this work is. A book titled You Are a Story became a powerful tool for one young boy in our program. This book has an audio recording that plays alongside the story, allowing children who may not be fluent readers—or who do not speak English—to follow along. This young boy listened to the recording for three full hours, completely immersed in the book. He shared the story with his friends and excitedly told the adults around him how much he loved it. This child’s entire outlook on books and reading transformed before our eyes. It was one of those moments that highlighted the true power of stories and the work we are doing.
You Are a Story celebrates the individuality and potential in each of us, offering children a sense of belonging and identity. The book asks, "What makes you, you? So much goes into who you are, and you are so many different things: A child, an animal, a body of water, a friend, a mystery, one-of-a-kind, a miracle. You are and could be so many things, but whatever you choose to do, it’s your life to write, you are a story."
We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to partner with United Way whose support makes programs like ours possible. Their collaboration allows us to continue creating inclusive spaces for all families to experience the joy of reading.