Dyersville Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Awarded $25,000 to Strengthen Early Literacy and Family Engagement

The Dyersville Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (Dyersville GLR) has been awarded a $25,000 grant through the Early Learning Nation (ELN) Collective to strengthen early learning, literacy development, and family engagement across the Dyersville community.

Established in 2015, the Dyersville Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is a collaborative, data-informed initiative dedicated to ensuring all children are prepared to read proficiently by the end of third grade, a critical milestone for lifelong learning and success. The Campaign focuses on three core areas: school readiness, school attendance, and summer learning.

“This grant allows us to strengthen our coalition,” said Jessica Pape, Dyersville GLR Community Coordinator. “By aligning child care centers, schools, families, and community partners, we can create equitable, literacy-rich opportunities that meet families where they are.”

Grant funds will support coordinated enrichment and literacy initiatives at the Michael & Jean Knepper Child Care Center and Dyersville Elementary School, with a strong emphasis on family engagement. Planned activities include summer enrichment programming, caregiver and parent literacy training, family literacy nights, educational field trips, guest-led learning experiences, and the distribution of books and literacy kits for home use. Meals and snacks will also be provided to help ensure children’s basic needs are met during programming.

The grant also supports re-establishing and strengthening the Dyersville GLR coalition, which includes representatives from schools, child care providers, nonprofits, businesses, health care, local government, and parents. Parent stipends, workshops, and shared leadership opportunities will ensure families are not just recipients of services, but active partners in shaping early learning solutions.

“This work is about equity and access,” said Pape. “In a rural community like Dyersville, transportation and availability can be barriers. By bringing enrichment and literacy opportunities directly to children and families, we are building a stronger foundation for success. The opportunity to support parents and caregivers with a stipend for their time and support is an added bonus.”

The Dyersville Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is affiliated with the National Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and was previously recognized as a National Pacesetter and by the Governor of Iowa for its impact. This grant marks an important step forward in renewing community collaboration and strengthening early learning systems for future generations.

For more information about the Dyersville Campaign for Grade-Level Reading or to get involved, please contact Jessica Pape at jpape1112@gmail.com or click here.

About the Dyersville Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
The Dyersville Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is a community-wide coalition committed to improving early childhood outcomes so all children can succeed in school and life. Through collaboration, data-driven strategies, and family-centered engagement, the Campaign works to strengthen literacy, school readiness, and equitable access to opportunity from birth through third grade.