ANGIER, N.C. - Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) has been awarded a significant grant of $58,000 by the Harnett County Partnership for Children (HCPC) to bolster its Motheread program, a cornerstone initiative aimed at promoting family literacy and enhancing English language skills among non-native speakers.

"This marks the 11th consecutive year that we have received this grant, underscoring the enduring impact and effectiveness of the Motheread program in our community," noted Nutan Varma, Ph.D., College and Career Readiness Coordinator at CCCC.

The Motheread program was introduced in Harnett County in 2014 with the primary objective of fostering family literacy and empowering parents to actively engage in their children's educational journey. Classes are held at Angier Baptist Church located at 155 S. Hickory St., Angier, from Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The upcoming session for 2024-2025 is scheduled to begin on Sept. 3, 2024, although enrollment is open at any time.

Prospective participants are required to complete registration and an oral placement test in order to enroll in the program. Registration and tests can be scheduled at the College and Career Readiness office (Continuing Education Building, Room 241) on the CCCC Harnett Main Campus in Lillington or can be completed at the class site in Angier. Walk-ins are welcome as well. Tests can be administered virtually via WhatsApp, Zoom, or Google Meet.

The Motheread program, recognized nationally for its innovative approach, involves both parents or caregivers and their children aged 0-5 years, participating together. It combines a tailored Motheread curriculum for adults with a children's curriculum, emphasizing the importance of regular family reading habits to strengthen parent-child relationships and instill a lifelong passion for learning.

"In the program year 2023-2024, we served 34 adults and 44 children, with impressive outcomes as indicated by HCPC's pre- and post-survey results showing significant improvements in read-aloud techniques and increased reading frequency in English," added Dr. Varma.

Reflecting on the program's success, Dr. Varma stated, "The success of the Motheread program is a testament to exceptional teamwork and unwavering support of community partners. We are committed to evolving and expanding our efforts to meet the literacy needs of more families, thereby enriching both their lives and our community."

For more information about the Motheread program or to enroll, interested individuals can contact Nutan Varma, Ph.D., at (910) 814-8975 or via email at nvarma@cccc.edu.