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What Happens When a Community Comes Together for Kids

Achieve Brown County

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Achieve Brown County

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Early Literacy Convening Recap | May 2026

From the moment people walked through the doors on May 6th, the energy in the room was high for early literacy.

The room began to fill with conversation over coffee and breakfast as attendees from all over the community gathered around one shared goal: helping build a Brown County where every child can read by third grade.

Welcome sign for the forWORDS literacy initiative in a brightly lit hallway, with tables displaying various items in the background.
A woman organizing items on a green table, with folders and circular badges visible, in an office setting.
Two people standing side by side in an indoor setting, both wearing stylish outfits. The man, wearing a checkered blazer and a U.S. Army cap, has a bright yellow shirt. The woman beside him has long, wavy hair and is dressed in a similar style with a yellow shirt and maroon pants, holding a coffee cup and a scarf.

Why are you here?

We grounded the day by asking a simple question, “Why are you here?”

The answers varied based on each person’s story and connection to early literacy. Some were educators. Some were parents. Some worked in nonprofits, healthcare, or workforce spaces. But despite different roles and experiences, one thing connected everyone in the room:

We care about our kids. We want to see all young people thrive.

Community Wide Commitment

Over the past several years, we kept hearing the same message from our community: We need more.
More people involved. More eyes on literacy. More momentum. More collaboration. More community support for our kids.

That feedback shaped the evolution of this work into forWORDS, a community-wide early literacy initiative rooted in the belief that literacy takes all of us.

Because literacy is not built in isolation. When we strengthen literacy, we strengthen our entire community socially, economically, and generationally.

Everyone plays a role. Everyone benefits. Everyone belongs in the effort.

forWORDS initiative
Logo for 'forWORDS', a literacy initiative featuring a cartoon worm with glasses sitting on stacked green books.

Literacy through the Workforce Lens

One of the most impactful parts of the day was the Workforce Lens Panel, which connected literacy to workforce, healthcare, belonging, and opportunity.

A group of three individuals posing together for a photo in a dimly lit room. One person is wearing a cap and a checkered blazer, another is dressed in a navy blue sweater with a striped shirt underneath, and the third person is in a navy blazer and jeans.
A panel discussion featuring four speakers sitting behind a table with microphones. The setting is a dimly lit auditorium with dark walls and a purple tablecloth.
Two women holding a sign that says 'Reading impacts... our youth, our workforce, our economy, all of us.' with a backdrop displaying 'I am achieve Brown County.'

Sabrina shared her experience learning English through Literacy Green Bay while reflecting on navigating healthcare and life during her late husband’s cancer journey. She also spoke about working at JBS Foods where many languages are represented every day.

Rick Crosson reminded attendees that:

“we may not have all arrived in different ships, but we’re all in the same boat now.”

The conversation reinforced that literacy is not just an education issue. It touches healthcare, workforce, communication, and community connection.

Rebecca from New North reminded the room that sometimes it is more than “just” a book, a smile, a program, or a simple reach out. Small moments can change the direction of someone’s life.

After the panel, one attendee shared:

“I could listen to them all day.”

Turning Conversation Into Action

In the afternoon, attendees moved into breakout action planning sessions that were facilitated by professionals. They each focused on what literacy support can look like across Brown County.

A wall filled with colorful post-it notes and printed sheets, organized into two sections labeled 'AM Reflection' and 'Dashboard Reflection', containing various insights and notes related to community engagement, literacy, and data collection.
A group of diverse individuals posing together in a brightly lit indoor space, holding a sign that reads 'Once you learn to read, you will forever be free.'
A person presenting information on a colorful wall chart during a meeting in a conference room. Several participants are seated at tables, engaged in the discussion.

The conversations shifted from discussion into commitments

Here are some of the commitments and outcomes from the planning sessions:

Continuing to support the forWORDS inititiative:

  • stay active on Developmental Screener Action Team
  • advocate for literacy funding and support
  • stay involved in community engagement efforts like ABC Conmigo/ABC With Me
A yard sign displaying the letter 'Ñ' in a bold, black font on a white background, placed on a grassy area.
Three women pose together holding a sign that reads 'Our goal: All kids reading at grade level by third grade.' They are in front of a branded backdrop that says 'I am Achieve Brown County.'

Begin sharing knowledge and data more intentionally:

  • share developmental screening and ASQ data
  • use the Early Literacy Data Dashboard to guide decisions
  • connect organizations to shared data and collaboration opportunities
  • share lived experiences to help others better understand barriers families face

Take direct action within community spaces:

  • implement literacy family engagement nights at Boys & Girls Clubs
  • expand Reach Out & Read across Emplify Health by Bellin primary care clinics
  • create literacy-rich spaces through opening a Free Little Library
  • integrate literacy more intentionally into youth programming and family services
A presenter speaks at a conference or workshop, standing behind a podium with a screen displaying an 'Early Literacy Dashboard' in the background. There are banners and flags on the stage, indicating a formal event.
A poster listing key trends and patterns related to workforce, literacy, data availability, usability, accessibility, and sustainability in impact.

“The best part of the day is seeing everyone that’s coming together to address this issue.”

Event Attendee

What Attendees Shared Afterward

The post-event survey reflected the same themes felt throughout the day.

  • 100% of respondents shared they were satisfied or very satisfied with the convening overall
  • 94% said the event felt welcoming and organized from start to finish
  • 100% said they were likely or very likely to take action as a result of the day

Attendees repeatedly mentioned:
“honesty and vulnerability”
“networking and collaboration”
“hearing lived experiences”
and “connecting data to real community experiences.”

What Happens Next

The event may have ended, but the conversations did not.

People stayed afterward exchanging ideas, building partnerships, and talking about next steps. New relationships formed. Existing collaborations deepened. Action teams gained new members.

Moving literacy forWORD will take continued collaboration and shared ownership across Brown County.

To explore photos, resources, presentation slides, the Early Literacy Data Dashboard, and ways to stay involved, visit the forWORDS Linktree.

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