University of Evansville receives community literacy grant from City of Evansville

The University of Evansville has received a $30,000 Forward Together Grant from the City of Evansville, Indiana. The grant will support the university’s School of Education Literacy in the Community project. The project is a collaboration between the university, Evansville Promise Neighborhood (EPN), and the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC).

According to an article on the University of Evansville’s website, Jared Turney, an Assistant Professor of Education at the university, was quoted as saying of the project, "Through its partnerships with the EPN, EVSC, and additional community organizations, the Literacy in the Community project will promote a citywide culture of reading and collaboration. This initiative reflects the University of Evansville's ongoing commitment to empowering students, supporting families, and advancing equitable educational opportunities for children throughout Evansville."

The Literacy in the Community project will be twofold, focused on both professional development opportunities for classroom educators and family engagement at local elementary schools. 

For educators, the project will include training in the Science of Reading, learning coaching techniques to help students who struggle with reading, and effective read-aloud strategies. There will also be an event in the summer of 2026 that will feature literacy teaching strategies and interactive sessions with University of Evansville faculty.

For families, the project will include family engagement nights at local elementary schools that will serve the families a meal, provide the families with a book to take home, and teach families strategies for improving literacy. Families will also be able to connect with community resources. It is expected that around 1,500 families will be reached through these events.

Derek McKillop, who serves as the Director of the Evansville Promise Neighborhood, said, "We've seen remarkable progress across the Evansville Promise Neighborhood, and advancing literacy education together is a natural and exciting step. This initiative builds on the momentum our partners have created and strengthens our shared commitment to creating pathways of opportunity for students and families."

In a release on the City of Evansville’s website, the city’s mayor, Stephanie Terry, was quoted as saying of the projects and organizations receiving Forward Together Grants, “This year’s Forward Together grants come at a critical moment for many in our community. Rising utility costs make weatherization programs more important than ever, and the uncertainty around SNAP benefits has highlighted the strain many families feel just to put food on the table. These grants will help local organizations meet those immediate needs while also supporting literacy programs and services for our unhoused neighbors, helping to build stability and opportunity in our community.”

For more information about the University of Evansville, visit the school’s website.