WORDS: Rachel Spivey
PICTURES: Kelly Beavers
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) is proud to unveil the newest member of its mobile educational fleet. Meet the Dream Machine, where children are asked to play, dream, and then achieve!
The Dream Machine is a 2001 International 3400 local church bus that was transformed into the ELC’s latest mobile classroom. The Dream Machine is fully renovated and designed to inspire children to get creative as it boasts a nature-themed interior with puffy white clouds, a whimsical sunshine, a tree of books, and flying birds.
Currently, this vehicle is intended to operate the ELC’s ReadingPals program and assist in the implementation of other programs such as CATCH, STEAM and Words on the Bus. ReadingPals has a history in Manatee County but has not been operational for a few years.
With this vehicle, ELC is reviving ReadingPals to help boost literacy scores around Manatee County. ReadingPals volunteers are asked to mentor children one-to-one or in small groups supporting three pillars: 21st-century skills using computers, socioemotional development, and of course, improving literacy rates.
The Dream Machine was largely funded through Manatee County’s Soar In 4 initiative and will attend the Soar in 4 monthly events to support the united mission of improving educational experiences for all children in the county.
ELC is also eternally grateful to the business partners who have supported the early education mission. We humbly thank Soar in 4, Sarasota Bay Club, Manatee County CSAB Board, The CBD Store, Bob Boast Volkswagen, Carl Reynolds Law, Callaghan Tires, Willis Smith Construction, Bank of America, and our very own Nextgen Magazine for their generous contributions to the newest vehicle.
ELC strives to be creative and innovative for the betterment of Manatee County’s earliest learners so that they can achieve their dreams!
