LEE, Mass. — Literacy Network (LitNet) will be holding a special event called KidNet for learners enrolled with its services and their families.

 

To be held at the Norman Rockwell Museum on Friday, April 19 from 10 am to 12 pm, during the regional public schools' April vacation, KidNet is a one-time event featuring children's songs by live musicians, multilingual story time with multiple readers, a literacy information session for parents, and a book giveaway. Readers will include Gloria Escobar (of Greylock Federal Credit Union) and Rachel Nicholson (Youth Librarian at Stockbridge Library), among others. Musicians will include Doug Mishkin (guitar and singing) and Otha Day, who will lead an interactive hand-drumming session.

 

"The event is about fun more than anything," said Executive Director Leigh Doherty. "It's an opportunity for LitNet learners, most of whom are immigrants new to the community, to meet and mingle along with their children. Even though it's informal in nature, KidNet is in keeping with LitNet's expanding mission of providing support that impacts not just the individual learner, but the whole family."

 

Since 1991, LitNet has offered free, individualized 1:1 tutoring to adults in Berkshire County. About 90 percent of enrolled learners are immigrants working on English language skills. In 2023, LitNet launched the First-Generation College Project, aimed at serving first-generation college hopefuls and their families in understanding and navigating the college application process. New in 2024, LitNet is in the planning phases of developing workforce-related programming, such as job application support, career advancement mentoring, and a professional certificate fair. LitNet currently serves 200 active learners in 1:1 tutoring, with 40 people on the waitlist.

 

"This is the longest our waitlist has ever been," said Doherty. "The need for free English language support in our community continues to grow, and LitNet continues to seek volunteer tutors to pair with eager learners."

 

KidNet is being offered in partnership with the Norman Rockwell Museum, which is offering free entry to its exhibits for LitNet learners, and the librarians of Stockbridge Library, who will be present to help families sign up for library cards.