Glen Ellyn reads for children's resource center

The Friends of the Library and the Glen Ellyn Library Foundation, both 501(c)(3) nonprofits, each presented a check for $1,000 to the Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center last week.

Traditionally, the Glen Ellyn Public Library selects a local nonprofit organization as a summer reading partner.

Aside from some added challenges due to COVID-19, this year was no different, and the library chose GECRC to be the beneficiary of its first all-virtual program.

“Paint Your Story: Summer Reading Challenge” was a huge success, and participants surpassed the initial combined goal, raking in 38,275 total points by reading, streaming and creating original art across the youth, high school, adult, adaptive and library staff categories.

The Friends' and Foundation's gifts recognize the Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center's mission to help children from low-income families acquire the necessary skills in academics and social interaction to move successfully through kindergarten to 12th grade and into adulthood.

The center opened in April 2002 with the support of the county-run DuPage Prevention Partnership and initially served children residing at Parkside Apartment Complex. In the fall of 2003, they moved to classroom space offered by Faith Lutheran Church of Glen Ellyn and became a 501c(3) nonprofit corporation in order to better serve the greater Glen Ellyn community.

In 2006, an after-school program site was started at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School as the Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center. In the 2013-2014 school year, they began serving additional District 41 students at Hadley Junior High and expanded again in 2016 to Churchill Elementary. The newest program at District 89's Glen Crest Middle School opened in 2020.

The center helps low-income children attain core literacy and social-emotional skills; assists English Language Learner students as they integrate into the community; and helps parents/caregivers in providing educational support for their children.

To learn more about the the Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center, visit gecrc.com.

For more on the Friends of the Library and the Glen Ellyn Library Foundation, visit gepl.org/support/friends-of-the-library/ or gepl.org/support/gepl-foundation.