Literacy SC has transitioned its family literacy initiative, Reading Begins Here, to an all-virtual model for the Spring 2026 semester. This shift provides every caregiver in South Carolina, regardless of location, with direct access to free professional guidance for their child’s reading development.
This innovative program is led by the nonprofit’s family literacy specialist Katherine “Kat” Kezon, who will host the program’s new Reading Support Check-Ins. These free virtual sessions are a low-pressure, no-commitment resource for all families in the Palmetto State.
“Reading Support Check-Ins are one-on-one virtual chats for caregivers with questions about a child’s reading,” said Kezon. “There is no assessment, no fee, and no expectation to enroll in anything. We simply help families understand what they are seeing at home and where to turn next. If we can’t answer a question, we will find someone who can.”
How it Works: Visit the Literacy SC website to fill out a brief booking form, choose your day and time, and note any specific questions or concerns. Within minutes, families receive confirmation and a Google Meet link for their reading check-in. A contact form is also available to submit one-off questions and receive written guidance back from Kezon.
In addition, the Spring semester also includes:
- Reading Begins Here: Two 45-minute virtual group classes with practical reading tips and tools for caregivers from the Literacy SC Read Well resource kit.
- Start with Literacy SC: Two 30-minute virtual introductory classes to help the public find the right fit among the organization’s various core programs, either as a volunteer or a learner.
“By moving Reading Begins Here to a virtual platform, we are tucking an expert voice into the pocket of every parent in our state,” said Lisa Cole, CEO of Literacy SC and lifelong Midlands resident. “Geography should never stand in the way of a family getting the reading help they need for their children.”
This expansion aligns with Literacy SC’s 2026-2028 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes low-cost, high-value pathways to increase capacity, serve the state, and lower stress on all.
Bookings for Reading Support Check-Ins will run through May 23 and resume in August. All sessions are conducted via Google Meet for ease of access on any smartphone or computer.
To schedule a free check-in or view the full spring schedule, visit literacysc.org/reading-begins-
