Even Start Program

The Even Start Program includes free family literacy, English as a second language classes, family engagement, parenting skills, and early childhood education. Families and/or adults may elect to participate in some or all of the programs as long as they meet the qualifications outlined below.

Who is eligible to participate in Even Start?

Family Literacy Program: Kenosha, Pleasant Prairie and Somers families who have children ages birth through 5 years old

English as a Second Language (ESL): Kenosha, Pleasant Prairie and Somers residents (free child care offered as needed)

What the program includes

• English as a second language education provides parents/guardians and/or adults with basic and advanced English skills.
• Early childhood education provides learning opportunities for children from birth to 5 years of age. Family literacy programs work in the areas of physical development, social-emotional development and cognitive development and emphasize the importance of a child’s success in school.
• Parent education provides parents/guardians with a wide variety of learning topics, including parenting strategies, how to be advocates and role models for their children and strategies to support their children’s learning.
• Interactive literacy activities provide a tie to increase and facilitate meaningful parent-child interactions focused primarily on language and literacy development in a high-quality environment where they can learn and play together.
• Home visits provide a means for delivering literacy instruction in a familiar setting and to emphasize that parents/guardians are the child’s first and most important teacher.
• Family engagement activities provide families hands-on educational experiences throughout the community.

Our goals

Help children reach their full potential as learners

Help parents/guardians become full partners in their children’s education

Provide educational opportunities for parents/guardians and adults in our community

Class Schedules

Family Literacy

• Monday (Beginner Course): 8:30-11:30 a.m.
• Tuesday (Advanced Couse): 8:30-11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday (Beginner Course): 8:30-11:30 a.m.
• Thursday (Advanced Couse): 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Adult English as a Second Language (ESL)

• Monday (Beginner Course): 12:15-2:15 p.m.
• Tuesday (Advanced Couse): 12:15-2:15 p.m.
• Wednesday (Beginner Course): 12:15-2:15 p.m.
• Thursday (Advanced Couse): 12:15-2:15 p.m.

Family Engagement

• Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.