United Way TCI Celebrates Literacy Progress and Academic Success at Summer Camp

United Way Turks and Caicos Islands has wrapped up its 2025 Summer Enrichment Camp, a twoโ€‘week programme held from Julyโ€ฏ7th to 18th that brought together 120 children for a unique mix of education, creativity, and community involvement.

Led by CEOโ€ฏClaudineโ€ฏEwing, the initiative was designed not only to engage students during the summer months but also to foster meaningful academic and personal growth. Ewing described this yearโ€™s camp as โ€œtransformative,โ€ noting the noticeable gains made by students, particularly in reading and selfโ€‘confidence. โ€œOur goal was not just to provide summer fun but to create opportunities for meaningful growth,โ€ said Ewing. โ€œWe witnessed incredible transformations, especially among our young readers who began the camp unsure of themselves and ended it empowered.โ€

Literacy in Focus
One of the most impactful components of the programme was a targeted reading intervention initiative, designed to support 18 students between the ages of 6 and 9 who were struggling with foundational literacy skills. Using a combination of small-group instruction, games, and literacy-focused activities, the students showed measurable improvement in both fluency and confidence over the course of the camp. This short-term programme mirrors United Way TCIโ€™s longer-term commitment to literacy, delivered through its โ€œYes I Can Readโ€ intervention programme, which operates throughout the academic year.

Eleven Students, Eleven Success Stories
One of the most emotional highlights came during a recognition ceremony for 11 Gradeโ€ฏ6 students who had previously struggled with reading. After enrolling in United Wayโ€™s afterโ€‘school tutoring programme during Gradeโ€ฏ5, all 11 passed their Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) and are now preparing to begin high school. Each student received a certificate and an iPad, presented in the presence of their sponsors. That moment served as a testament to the impact of targeted intervention when combined with community support, consistent instruction, and student resilience.

Donors and Community Support
United Way TCI expressed heartfelt gratitude to the many donors and sponsors who made both the Summer Enrichment Camp and the literacy intervention programme possible. Recognized contributors included Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty Vice President and Director of United Way TCI Nina Siegenthaler, Grant Noble, the Schechter Family Foundation and more. Their support helped provide key resources, engaging activities, and recognition for students who achieved academic breakthroughs.

The camp culminated in a lively celebration featuring cotton candy, ice cream, music, and interactive group activitiesโ€”marking the end of a summer shaped by growth, discovery, and renewed community spirit.

Looking Ahead
With the success of its literacy work, United Way plans to expand โ€œYes I Can Readโ€ to more schools in the coming year. The organisation remains dedicated to providing personalized, evidence-based instruction and helping every child in Turks and Caicos reach their full potential. โ€œReading is the gateway for children that makes all other learning possible,โ€ said Ewing. โ€œWe are proud of the progress made and grateful to the community that helped make it happen.โ€

Source: https://suntci.com/


About Turks & Caicos Sothebyโ€™s International Realty
Turks & Caicos Sothebyโ€™s International Realty (TCSIR) is the premier luxury real estate brokerage firm in Turks & Caicos. Boasting a profound track record and significant foothold in all market segments, particularly new development and trophy properties, TCSIR is the go-to resource for developers, investors, home-buyers and sellers in this highly sought-after destination. With strong leadership backed by the worldโ€™s greatest international luxury real estate brand, and a strong team of agents, TCSIR is influential in both the local community as well as the greater real estate industry worldwide. The firmโ€™s signature office is ideally located in uptown Grace Bay with satellite offices at Grace Bay Club, The Palms, Point Grace and South Bank.

For more information please visit www.turksandcaicossir.com.

Turks & Caicos Sothebyโ€™s International Realty, Venture House, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales | info@tcsothebysrealty.com | 1.649.946.4474

United Way Turks and Caicos Reading Program

Reading matters โ€“ Reading proficiently by 3rd grade can be life changing. Third grade is when children make the crucial switch from learning to reading to learn.

Grade level reading skills enables children to begin mastering other important subjects like Math & Science.  Students who are not reading proficiently by the end of 3rd grade are at great risk of falling behind & never fully catching up.  So we need your help to ensure that our children are reading at their full potential.

โ€œYes I Can Readโ€ Reading Intervention 

We have 3rd graders that are reading at kindergarten level.  Help us to eradicate this literacy challenge. By giving to the reading program, you will help surround the young students with programs and resources needed to ensure they are reading by 3rd grade.

Sponsor a Child 

The Yes I Can Read After School program will facilitate 50 students yearly at a cost of $360 per month per child for the one on one intervention with a private tutor.  This sets the program budget to $216,000 per year.  Let us join forces to combat this serious literacy issue and create Bold, Intelligent and Fearless future leaders.

For more information, please visit https://www.unitedwaytci.org

Joe Zahm
Phone 649-231-6188
joe@tcsothebysrealty.com


Nina Siegenthaler

Phone 649-231-0707
nina@tcsothebysrealty.com

About Turks & Caicos Sothebyโ€™s International Realty
Turks & Caicos Sothebyโ€™s International Realty (TCSIR) is the premier luxury real estate brokerage firm in Turks & Caicos. Boasting a profound track record and significant foothold in all market segments, particularly new development and trophy properties, TCSIR is the go-to resource for developers, investors, home-buyers and sellers in this highly sought-after destination. With strong leadership backed by the worldโ€™s greatest international luxury real estate brand, and a diverse array of international agents representing 15 countries, TCSIR is influential in both the local community as well as the greater real estate industry worldwide. The firmโ€™s signature office is ideally located in uptown Grace Bay with satellite offices at Grace Bay Club, The Palms and Point Grace. For more information please visit http://www.turksandcaicossir.com.

Turks & Caicos Sothebyโ€™s International Realty, Venture House, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales | info@tcsothebysrealty.com | 1.649.946.4474