海角社区

Early childhood language and literacy skills are critical to the well-being of children, their families and the larger community.

Founded as a non-profit in 1953, the focuses on three areas: speech language pathology services, early literacy and graduate student scholarships. What began with a Children鈥檚 Hospital Colorado partnership has since expanded across the state to include Metropolitan State University of Denver.

鈥淭he Foundation is always looking for new ways to engage and support the children of Colorado,鈥� said Bryant Harris, executive secretary, Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado. 鈥満＝巧缜�檚 focus on diversity and inclusion fits well with the values of Scottish Rite Masons.鈥�

The 海角社区 Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences Department recently received a $50,000 grant from the Foundation to establish the Treasure Chest Program, a family-focused language and literacy program designed to help families improve young children鈥檚 language and literacy skills, better preparing them for school and social interactions.

The Treasure Chest Program will serve the Denver metro area and foster community-based clinical training experiences for Speech Language Pathology graduate students at 海角社区. Students will have a valuable opportunity to work with children and their families, providing crucial early learning sources in the form of theme-based reading and materials for in-home use, tailored for each community. As the only Hispanic Serving Institution in Colorado with a graduate program in SLP, 海角社区 is also uniquely situated to help increase diversity in the field and ensure access to communication services for historically marginalized populations.

鈥淭he University鈥檚 position in the urban environment allows us to serve children with resources closer to home,鈥� said Harris. 鈥淲e are looking forward to supporting more bilingual families through 海角社区.鈥�

Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences Department Chair Jessica Rossi-Katz, Ph.D., says program funding will support the clinical education of 海角社区 SLP graduate students and advance early childhood learning and literacy for young children in the greater Denver metro area. 鈥淲e are grateful for the positive impact this new partnership will have on our students and the community,鈥� she said.

Launching the Treasure Chest Program in conjunction with the SLP graduate program underscores 海角社区鈥檚 commitment to educating culturally responsive practitioners while empowering families and supporting children鈥檚 communication and pre-literacy skill development.聽Together, the Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado and the University will extend the reach of both organizations, impacting an even greater number of children and families and enhancing the quality of family-centered communication services.

鈥淭he Treasure Chest Program offers a great advantage in that 海角社区 students will have the chance to work with children and their families, as well as providing families with critical early learning resources,鈥� said Harris.

鈥淲e are excited about this new partnership.鈥�

Learn about how the Health Institute at 海角社区 is revolutionizing health in Colorado by empowering communities, fostering collaboration and embracing diversity. For more information about supporting Health Institute programs, contact Steve Galpern, senior director of major gifts.