Literacy took center stage in Guadalupe on Friday night, March 11, at Mary Buren Elementary School, when more than 30 parents, who call themselves THRIVE Community Changers, put on the fourth annual Literacy Theatre. The event, which is designed to increase opportunities through literacy, featured a theatrical play, storytelling, free books, and other positive messages.
The play, Como Crece la Flor (How The Flower Grows), was produced and developed by parents and highlights the necessary elements of literacy development, according to Alma Hernandez de Wilson, Coordinator of the Guadalupe THRIVE Family Services Center.
The story is about a gardener who cares for a garden but especially for one particular flower. When tragedy strikes, it’s up to the rest of the community to step in and make sure that the garden and the gardener’s favorite flower maintain their beauty.
“It explores cultural influences in education and the necessity of diverse gifts to nurture the next generation,” Hernandez de Wilson said in a press release.
The program also includes dads from the Viejitos Lowrider Car Club reading the “Incredible Book Eating Boy” in English and “Que Cosas Dice Mi Abuela” in Spanish.
The funding for the event included $10,000 from the Fund for Santa Barbara and $30,000 from the McCune Foundation for supplies and leadership training for parents.
This article appears in Mar 17-24, 2016.