Building Readers at Brooke Road Community Center

Guest Article by Carolyn Kloss, Executive Director of Brooke Road Community Center

My hat in the picture reads, ‘Officially Retired.” On July 1st, after 35 years as a teacher and administrator in RPS 205, I retired. Then the questions began, “what next?” I was approached to consider “working” for the Community Center at Brooke Road, I wondered if that could be what was next. I didn’t want a new “job.” I didn’t want a new “career.” What I wanted to do was volunteer and hopefully make a difference in our community.

When I retired from the School District as the Principal of Swan Hillman Elementary School, the staff installed a Little Free Library in my honor. It was the perfect gift as I have devoted my time as a principal to getting books into the hands of children whenever possible. We were one of the initial schools that participated in the original United Way I Read Program.

I accepted the opportunity to volunteer as the Executive Director at the Community Center and was thrilled to learn we had a partnership with the United Way of Rock River Valley through a book distribution grant to connect kids with books. The goal of the Community Center is to provide support and resources for the people of southeast Rockford. Thanks to United Way’s support, we can reach more children earlier, giving them the strong start they deserve with reading.  

There is a lot happening in our community center every day. Whether it’s the delicious smells from the Food Truck, energetic cheers from Zumba, youth participation in our Art Therapy groups or new moms stopping by The Baby Bank, the community center is a great place to be. Thanks to our partnership with United Way, my favorite activity is watching kids select a new book or two or three to take home and get excited about reading.

One of my first projects at the Community Center was organizing our United Way books and getting them available to children. I wanted books to be present at every event held at the Community Center. I made sure there was a basket of books in the entry way. I left a cart of books in our large meeting space. I pushed a cart outside and met kids on the sidewalk. I even stopped by the laundry mat next door to read. When neighborhood children attended Compassion Camp, they took home a book each night to match the daily themes. When kids came for Art Therapy or Teen Group they were encouraged to take home a book. My favorite is when I am in my office and friends visit knowing they can take a book home. Miss Carolyn, “I can take this home? This book is for me to keep?” Absolutely! Thank you United Way!

Once a month we sponsor the Baby Bank, a free diaper and baby essential give away. As of September we have assisted over 500 families. Thanks to grant funding from the United Way, any family that visits can also select books to take home. Kids are encouraged to browse our book selection and pick a favorite (or two) to keep. 

The Brooke Road Community Center is home to a wide range of diverse programs serving the people of Southeast Rockford as well as the greater Rock River Valley. We are committed to providing books in a variety of languages with an emphasis on Swahili and Spanish to better serve our Community Center visitors. Being a part of a partnership with the United Way that includes promoting Literacy is my favorite part of being retired! 

In mid- September, just prior to our United Way Day of Caring, we installed a Little Free Library at the Community Center. Thanks to our United Way book distribution grant, I can fill it with Children’s Books in multiple languages. Stop by and visit, you may find me outside in the front yard reading a book or two or three to my neighborhood friends. 

I have met some amazing people in the Rockford community who desire to “make a difference.” The United Way is helping our Community Center make a difference for the children and families we serve. I am in the process of ordering some business cards to have on hand for when I meet with people in our community. I was asked if I wanted a quote on the card. I’m not sure, but maybe it should say, “Volunteer…Make a Difference, It’s FUN!”