Sometimes you have to pause and appreciate a moment. On July 7, we watched a community come together around one simple idea: Literacy belongs everywhere.
Yes, we officially launched ABC Conmigo | ABC With Me. Yes, we placed the first signs into the ground. But what we really planted was another seed in our journey toward becoming a literacy community.
That moment was about so much more than signs.
One of our partners said it best that morning:
“This isn’t the finish line. It’s the start line.”
We couldn’t agree more.
More Than Signs
When people see colorful alphabet signs in parks, museums, libraries, neighborhoods, and community spaces this summer, we hope they see more than just the letters A through Z. We hope they see possibility.
ABC Conmigo | ABC With Me isn’t about signs. It’s about creating intentional moments for children and the people who love them to learn together. Because learning doesn’t only happen inside a classroom.
It happens:
- On a walk through the park.
- At a community resource center
- During a visit to the Wildlife Sanctuary.
- At the Children’s Museum.
- While exploring the neighborhood.
It’s about helping a child notice the letter “A,” ask what sound it makes, discover a new word, or practice it in another language. Those moments matter.
Why It Matters
Only 54.2% of Brown County third graders are meeting reading benchmarks. That statistic isn’t just a number. It’s children. Families. Potential.
We know children don’t become readers overnight. Reading begins long before the first day of kindergarten through conversations, play, curiosity, and everyday interactions with caring adults.
As Sarah Sugden, Executive Director of Brown County Library, shared during the launch:
“It’s really about engagement—for children to have those really positive experiences talking about letters with someone they love. It’s creating those moments of engagement and getting your kid excited about learning.”
That’s exactly what ABC Conmigo | ABC With Me is designed to do.
A Community Effort
This initiative didn’t happen overnight. It started with data. It continued with conversations. It grew through collaboration.
Achieve Brown County, Brown County Library, and Casa ALBA Melanie asked a simple question:
How can we make literacy part of everyday life?
The answer wasn’t one organization or one program. It was all of us.
Together, we imagined parks, libraries, museums, schools, neighborhoods, and community spaces becoming places where learning happens naturally. Together, we made that idea a reality.
And together with our incredible community partners, we’re bringing this adventure to life across Brown County.
As Amanda Garcia, Executive Director of Casa ALBA Melanie, shared:
“It’s a simple but powerful idea. When we intentionally design public spaces to encourage reading, conversation, curiosity and exploration, we create communities where learning becomes a part of everyday life.”
By incorporating both English and Spanish throughout the experience, ABC Conmigo | ABC With Me celebrates multilingualism as a community strength while encouraging families to learn together across languages and cultures.
One Step Closer
Will alphabet signs alone ensure every child is reading on grade level by third grade?
No. But that’s never been the goal. The goal is to create a Brown County where literacy is everyone’s responsibility.
A community where families, schools, libraries, businesses, healthcare providers, nonprofits, parks, and neighbors all play a role in helping children succeed.
ABC Conmigo | ABC With Me is one step closer to that vision. One conversation. One walk. One letter. One community.
Join the Adventure
The signs are now waiting to be discovered throughout Brown County!
Here’s how you can join the adventure:
- Visit a participating location and explore the Alphabet Adventure.
- Snap a photo of your adventure and share it with us.
- Tell us about your experience by completing our short feedback survey.
Find locations, upload your photos, and learn more below
Want to relive the excitement from launch day?
Check out the incredible media coverage from our community partners:
- 5-20-26: Sarah Sugden and Brown County Library on Fox 11 with Rachel Monek
https://fox11online.com/good-day-wi/brown-county-library-casa-alba-launch-new-effort-to-help-kids-learn-their-abcs - 7-1-26: Green Bay News Network
https://www.gbnewsnetwork.com/news/families-invited-to-adventure-the-alphabet-across-brown-county-this-summer/ - 7-7-26: WBAY Coverage
https://www.wbay.com/2026/07/07/brown-county-launches-bilingual-scavenger-hunt-young-learners/ - 7-7-26: Fox 11 Coverage
https://fox11online.com/news/local/library-launches-communitywide-abc-program-to-fight-summer-reading-slump-brown-county-conmigo-learning-project-education - 7-8-26: Green Bay Press Gazette
https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/education/2026/07/08/how-can-parents-prevent-summer-learning-loss-what-local-experts-recommend/90834182007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z118372p004050c004050e1176xxv118372&gca-ft=40&gca-ds=sophi - 7-10-26: Press Times
https://gopresstimes.com/stories/learning-begins-at-home-but-it-shouldnt-stop-there,343974
On July 7, we planted signs. Today, tomorrow, and every day after, we’ll keep growing a literacy community.
Because every child deserves the opportunity to learn, explore, and discover that literacy can happen anywhere.