As popular as the PBS Kids characters and programs are to kids, Hampton Roads' children have come to know WHRO Public Media for something else that is just as exciting -- books!
Research has shown that children who are exposed to reading tend to become strong readers later in life. They also tend to excel in other academic areas. That's why WHRO puts such a strong focus on early literacy.
The WHRO Education team helps students throughout Eastern Virginia develop reading skills through our Literacy Van program, summer reading camps, local library corners, and by providing books to students in communities where books are not easily accessible.
To help us accomplish these tasks, PRA Group’s recently launched Black Excellence Employee Resource Group recently hosted a back-to-school drive for WHRO’s literacy programs. Last week, they presented WHRO with the books and bookbags they collected.
A publicly traded global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans, PRA Group, Inc. has been a sponsor of WHRO’s Literacy Van for several years. Earlier this year, the employee resource group donated over 100 books for WHRO's literacy programs.
One of the main pillars of the group is doing service for the community, said Analise Gregory, a software engineering manager at PRA Group. The group looks for opportunities throughout the year to find ways to help local organizations.
"We had such an amazing turnout and support for our initial kickoff service event in the beginning of the year with the Martin Luther King book drive that we sponsored in partnership with WHRO," she said. "We decided to partner again with WHRO for the fall really finding that it is so important to bring resources to students and teachers, to the community, and make sure they have a successful school year coming up this fall."
Thank you to PRA Group for your continued support!
WHRO is proudly owned by the 21 school divisions in the southeastern Virginia region. Learn more about the many educational resources that WHRO Public Media provides to educators and families.