More than 60 children sang, danced, and listened to stories in English and Spanish during the kickoff of the “Learn Anywhere” summer program in Elgin on Monday.
The program, now in its ninth year, is run by the Partnership for Enriching Early Learning (EPEL). It began this year at Cornerstone Park, one of five community locations offering free educational activities for young children. Other sites are located in Elgin, Hanover Park, and Streamwood.
The program serves families with children under five and aims to prepare them for kindergarten.
“Our goal is to engage families, provide them with information, and support them,” said Amber Peters, executive director of EPEL. “We want to make sure they have everything they need to get their kids ready for school.”
EPEL is a nonprofit that works with local partners to offer early education resources to underserved families.
The eight-week program features a new theme each week. Families receive take-home gifts such as art supplies, books, seeds, or watering cans. Books are offered in both English and Spanish, and children are allowed to choose what they take home.
At Monday’s event, children received bags filled with early learning tools to use during the summer and fall. They also joined in movement games, heard a bilingual reading of The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, and painted bright designs on the sidewalk.
Parents had access to local resources through organizations like the Elgin Area U-46 School District, St. Paul Diaper Distribution, the Information Center, and the Gail Borden Library. Representatives were present to answer questions and help families plan for the weeks ahead.
Some sites also offered lunch for children. The Northern Illinois Food Bank provided food support for families during the event.
The “Learn Anywhere” program runs through the week of July 21. Dates, times, and locations are available on the EPEL website.
Last summer, over 200 children and family members visited the sites each week. Families are selected based on community data, focusing on those who may lack access to child care, health care, or libraries.
“What makes this program special is how natural it feels,” said Peters. “Word spreads from family to family. That’s the best kind of marketing.”
Although the hour-long sessions are designed to be fun and educational for children, Peters said the program’s deeper focus is on the parents.
“This is really about empowering parents,” she said. “It helps them bring learning into their homes in simple, affordable ways.”
