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Motivated by her cousin Grace, who has Down syndrome, Izzie Crowley found her purpose in helping children reach their potential, no matter their challenges. Supported by a personal donor relationship that reminds her why she chose this path, Crowley aims to make a difference in the education system.

The new funds, from the United Way of Alamance County, will allow the literacy program to expand its ESL services offered to families.

With the end of fall tutoring, It Takes a Village Project celebrated the semester by hosting a Book Bash for community members. With free books, crafts, and community resources, the event left families with access to materials and connections to support students learning beyond the classroom.

������Ƶ’s Engineering in the Village program brings ABSS students together each month for free, hands-on STEM activities that spark creativity and confidence.

Behind ������Ƶ's "It Takes A Village Project" are two AmeriCorps VISTAs and recent ������Ƶ graduates who work to maintain the success of the program.

For Edward Hernandez ’27, legacy is rooted in family, heritage and community. From leading LHU and El Centro to mentoring future scholars, his ������Ƶ journey reflects the power of giving back and the importance of celebrating Hispanic and Latinx voices.

EDU 3540: Early Literacy Birth to 2nd Grade connects ������Ƶ teacher candidates with kindergarten through second grade students at Eastlawn Elementary through the It Takes a Village Project.

Through the Village Project’s Big Village program, ������Ƶ students Scout Winter ’28 and Jenna Toms ’26 are returning to the schools that once shaped them, joining the 160 volunteers last spring that made a lasting impact on the Alamance-Burlington School System.

As the back-to-school season begins, the Village Project reflects on the students who took home the magic of literacy this summer.