Opening Doors Through Stories: The Bridge Library at Educare Family Resource Center

The Bridge Library is helping lay the foundation for academic success and a lifelong love of reading.

At the heart of the Educare Family Resource Center (FRC) in the Santee neighborhood, a quiet transformation is taking place—one book at a time. The Bridge Library, a small but mighty literacy hub, is bringing stories, smiles, and a love of learning into the lives of families across our diverse community.

More than just shelves of books, the Bridge Library is a welcoming, inclusive space where children and parents explore, imagine, and connect. Whether it’s a toddler discovering the joy of turning pages, or a parent and child cuddling up to read together, the library is a gateway to lifelong learning and bonding.

Decades of research show that early exposure to books significantly boosts language development, strengthens parent-child relationships, and improves school readiness—especially in under-resourced communities. By creating easy access to books in a trusted, family-centered space, the Bridge Library is helping lay the foundation for academic success and a lifelong love of reading.

“Our goal is to promote early literacy and make books accessible to all families,” shared an FRC staff member. “It’s more than reading — it’s about building bridges between home and school, language and culture, and parent and child.”

The library offers a variety of books, inclusive stories, and hands-on literacy activities. Through the Bridge Library, the Educare FRC is planting the seeds of curiosity, confidence, and connection — ensuring that every child and family has the opportunity to fall in love with reading.

Learn more about our Family Resource Center by visiting our website: ccscc.org/family-resource-centers