Summer Reading Ice Cream Social Is Saturday

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown’s Advancing Education – Reducing Crime Day group is hosting a free Summer Reading Ice Cream Social, from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Handles Homemade Ice Cream and Yogurt on the corner of Midlothian and Market streets.

In exchange for a free ice cream cone, children and parents will commit to the child’s participation in a summer reading program through the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County or the Barbershop Reading Initiative Developing Growth in Education, also known as BRIDGE.

“Numerous studies have shown that summer learning loss causes the average student to lose up to one month of instruction,” said Jon Howell in a news release, organizer of the event with Penny Wells, executive director of Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past, and Maria Cougras Pappas, a former YSCD principal.

There will be a book give away and prize drawings for Nook e-readers.

Magistrate Carla Baldwin from the Juvenile Justice Center and other Youngstown professionals, including a nurse, doctor, police officer and firefighter will read to children throughout the event.

The library’s Summer Discovery reading program continues through July 31 at all branches. Children can complete learning activities or read books to earn books, prizes, and a chance for a gift card.

The BRIDGE initiative runs through Aug. 28 at area barber shops. Reading sessions take place from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. each Monday at participating shops. Children earn stamps for each session they attend and those who accumulate the required number will be eligible to redeem stamps for incentive rewards.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.