📊At a Glance
6 Months of Consistent Community Awareness
Every month, C5 maintained a steady presence across radio, print, digital, and outdoor media. This consistent saturation keeps kindergarten readiness top of mind for families across Cocke County — month after month, all year long.
🎯What We're Working On
Focus 1 Kindergarten Readiness
Helping families of children ages 0–5 build the skills kids need before they walk through that kindergarten door — like recognizing letters, counting, listening, and playing well with others. Programs like Countdown to Kindergarten, Me & My Grownup, and monthly skill logs keep parents engaged every step of the way.
Focus 2 3rd Grade Reading
Reading on grade level by 3rd grade is one of the strongest predictors of future success. C5 partners with schools, libraries, and local businesses to bring books and reading support directly to students and families — through in-school read-alouds, community events, and ongoing literacy programs.
📅Types of Activities
✨Community Highlights
At the Newport Harvest Street Festival, C5 deployed both mobile units — the ABC Bus and the Book Wagon — giving 950+ visitors hands-on learning activities. Kids built with magnetic blocks, shaped letters with Play-Doh, and left with free books.
October 2025 · Cocke County
The Thanksgiving Diaper Drive-Thru served 153 families with young children — no income or residency requirements. Families received free diapers, wipes, donuts, and resource flyers from C5 and five community partners.
November 2025 · Cocke County
The Shine On Newport Festival honored the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene flooding. C5 brought both mobile units to provide free children's activities and literacy opportunities — showing up for the community in resilience and hope.
September 2025 · Cocke County
C5 launched a Monthly Guest Reader Program at Cosby Elementary for K–2 students. Every child receives a free copy of the featured book, and community volunteers lead classroom read-alouds with discussion questions to deepen engagement.
September 2025 – Present · Cocke County
C5 partnered with the SOAR Upward Mobility Program at Douglas Cherokee Neighborhood Service Center, visiting monthly to share how literacy connects to economic stability and equipping parents with tools to support learning at home.
Ongoing · Cocke County
At Christmas in the City, C5 partnered with the City of Newport to bring the Book Wagon downtown — distributing free books to 375 families, hosting a holiday photo booth, and making sure every child left with something special.
December 2025 · Cocke County
🤝How We Show Up
C5 shows up where families already are — school open houses, county fairs, library story times, church events, neighborhood centers, and holiday celebrations. By meeting people in familiar places and working alongside trusted community organizations, we build connections that go far beyond a single event.
Looking Ahead
With strong partnerships in place, steady family enrollment in Countdown to Kindergarten, and a consistent monthly media presence, C5 is well-positioned heading into spring 2026. The coalition continues building the infrastructure — relationships, data, and trust — needed for lasting change for children and families in Cocke County.