Future Ready Five Updates
Reflections from the CEO: What Dolly Parton Taught Us About Starting Early
Long before Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library became an international early literacy effort, it started with something deeply personal. Parton created the program in honor of her father, Robert Lee Parton, who never had the opportunity to learn to read or write. She...
Board Spotlight: Erica Crawley’s Favorite Books Celebrate Love, Belonging and Connection
The most memorable children’s books do more than tell a good story. They help children understand what it feels like to be loved, safe and seen. For Franklin County Commissioner and Future Ready Five Board Co-Chair Erica Crawley, two books do that especially...
5 Things to Expect as Your Child Transitions from Preschool to Kindergarten
The transition from preschool to kindergarten is an exciting time for your child and for you! Kindergarten marks the beginning of your child’s formal education. In preschool, children spend much of their time playing, exploring, and developing social skills with their...
First Annual Future Ready Five & Franklin County RISE Thrive Awards Event Success!
This summer, Future Ready Five, in proud partnership with Franklin County RISE, hosted our First Annual Thrive Awards Ceremony—a beautiful evening of recognition, community, and celebration held at the stunning Palm House at Franklin Park Conservatory, generously...
Meet Our New Board Member: Lauren Hagan – A Leader in Literacy and Community Impact
We’re excited to welcome Lauren Hagan, Chief Executive Officer of the Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML), to the Board of Directors at Future Ready Five. Lauren brings a unique blend of financial expertise, public leadership, and a deep-rooted passion for early...
Meet Our New Board Member: Traci Martinez – A Leader Bridging Law, Education, and Community Impact
We’re thrilled to announce the newest addition to our Board of Directors: Traci Martinez, Office Managing Partner at Squire Patton Boggs and a passionate advocate for educational equity and early childhood literacy.A Lifelong Passion for Early Childhood...
Meet Our New Board Member: Pastor Michael Young – A Champion for Community and Education
We’re thrilled to welcome Michael Young, Lead Pastor of The City of Grace in Central Ohio, to the Board of Directors at Future Ready Five. Michael brings a deep well of experience, compassion, and community insight to our mission of advancing kindergarten readiness...
5 Questions with KRC Provider, Rhonda Washington from Washington Learning & Development Center
Recently, our team had the chance to sit down with one of the participating center owners in our Kindergarten Readiness Collaborative (KRC), the fabulous Rhonda Washington, and ask her 5 Questions about her career and experience with Future Ready Five.Question 1:...
NBC4 Highlights Early Childhood Education Advancements Thanks to Future Ready Five
Our team at Future Ready Five is thrilled to announce that our Kindergarten Readiness Collaborative (KRC) program has been featured on NBC4.The news feature titled Columbus-funded Kindergarten Prep Organization Paying Dividends on Children’s Learning, highlights the...
Myth vs Fact: Breaking Down The Stereotypes Surrounding Screeners
At Future Ready Five, we believe that every child deserves a strong start on their educational journey. That’s why we provide universal literacy interventions to children ages 3–5, helping them build the foundational skills they need for kindergarten success! To...