Toyota Family Learning: 14 Houston Public Library families graduate

On Tuesday, January 13, 2015, the Houston Public Library recognized 14 families who completed Toyota Family Learning at the Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning in Houston, Texas.

HPL partners, volunteers, friends and families, along with keynote speaker Councilmember Edward Gonzalez, attended the ceremony to celebrate the impact Toyota Family Learning and its hardworking, dedicated family participants has had on the community.

HPL’s Nicole Robinson said, “Toyota Family Learning at the Houston Public Library is empowering families and their communities through learning opportunities that not only strengthen the whole family, but the community around them.”

Toyota Family Learning, a 6-year nationwide initiative led by NCFL, was created to address educational needs and provide opportunities for low-income and ethnically-diverse families to roll up their sleeves and build stronger communities.

Concepcion (Connie) Gomez  said, “Through the Toyota Family Learning program, I am learning how to be a better parent and a better human being.”

For four months – twice a week for two hours – families participating in Toyota Family Learning programs attended Parent Time, Parent and Child Together (PACT) Time®, and engaged in family activities including mentoring and service learning, using technology together, reading together, and taking family trips.

Parent participant Sandra Castillo added, “I want my children to improve. The Toyota Family Learning Program is helping me to solve problems at home and to help each other.”

Toyota Family Learning, a 6-year nationwide initiative led by NCFL, was created to address educational needs and provide opportunities for low-income and ethnically-diverse families to roll up their sleeves and build stronger communities. NCFL knows that when children and families solve community issues together, they are simultaneously learning and applying 21st century college and career readiness skills.