CLI News

"With CLI set to expand to three more schools with funding from Target, classrooms were on display. Stephen Zrike Jr., chief of schools for the Pilsen-Little Village Elementary Network, noted the impact of the initiative. He called the amount of reading and writing being done by Cardenas students 'unlike anything I’ve ever seen.'"

The Connelly Foundation and CLI's partnership is in the second year of making a difference in several Archdiocese of Philadelphia elementary schools.

Teacher quote: “I know which of my students came from a CLI pre-k classroom. The students who are from CLI pre-k are my top readers. They are way beyond my other students who did not have a CLI trained teacher.”

“Through a partnership with Target, CLI has done so much for our school and community, allowing us to make substantial gains and positively impact our students’ lives. After Target provided the school with two complete library make-overs (main and branch building), a Target grant allowed CLI to renovate seven classroom libraries with new furniture and books, and continues to provide quality professional development for our teachers.”

- Shelley Cordova, Principal, Phillip D. Armour Elementary

CLI’s Executive Director, Kelly Hunter, Ed.D., appeared on HuffPost Live, a streaming network. The show hosted four speakers and discussed the importance of childhood literacy. 

"Demographics should not determine your destiny. Our children need more, and CLI is helping to build on the strengths of teachers to ensure sustainable change."

- Kelly Hunter, Ed.D, Executive Director, CLI