Sharon Darling Quotations

We're very proud that Toyota has expanded our partnership following the success of the Toyota Family Literacy Program over the past several years. Our goal is to continue to meet the pressing needs of Hispanic and other immigrant families both in Detroit and across the country.

When parents read to their children, their children are better readers. If parents don't have literacy skills or have never been read to, or they have never found joy in a book, it's really difficult for them to make that transition.

The parents actually go into the child's classroom for part of the day and see what their children are learning, how the teacher is teaching them and what they are expected to know.

The Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year award recognizes teachers who often are the unsung heroes of our society and who now, more than ever, have the daunting challenge of positioning children and families to succeed.

Eighty-five percent of our participants represent a family intact, with a mother and a father. Improving literacy throughout the family increases their chances to become active in their child's education and their community.