Early literacy skills have a profound impact on a child’s educational future. Developing these skills and fostering a love of reading begins with providing young children with reading materials.

In 2016, the Community Foundation for Oceana County and community partners initiated Read early. Read often. (RERO) to better prepare our children for success in learning and in life. RERO aims to improve early literacy rates, third grade reading levels, and the future success of our children in Oceana County.

Based on a system scan by the RERO advisory committee in 2023, the following initiatives were identified: focus on age 0-5, creating a curriculum for consistency and continuum in area Play & Learns, develop Literacy Corners around the county, support book walks and the inspiReading book bus, identify locations for events, use high quality materials, partner with inspiReading and Talking is Teaching, and provide education training for partners and families.

RERO’s community partners consist of area libraries, early childhood centers, churches, food pantries, health clinics and agencies such as Oceana Hispanic Center, District Health Department and the Mason-Lake-Oceana Great Start Collaborative. These partnerships ensure we are serving Oceana County’s most vulnerable poplulations.

Books are distributed through collaborative efforts of food pantries, day care centers, agencies, medical offices, libraries, events and more sites as identified by program partners.