Humanities Nebraska

Gema's family was new to the United States - new to the food, the language, the schools, new to everything. Her father worked many hours to help them succeed in this country, and Gema missed him. 

Then they were invited to Prime Time Family Reading Time. Enticed by a badly needed free meal, the whole family went, even Gema's dad. But there was something magical about Prime Time, and it wasn't just the good, hot, food. 

For six weeks, the Prime Time families ate together, then heard an award-winning children's book, told to them by talented storytellers in both Spanish and English. They would discuss the themes of the story - courage, perseverance, integrity. Sitting close to her father, Gema began to understand how he must have had all those traits in order to bravely start over in a new country to give his family a better life.

The stories helped Gema and her family master English, and the discussions helped Gema and her siblings excel in school. Now Gema is a successful adult who became a teacher and a Prime Time coordinator so she can help other families like her own. 

Humanities Nebraska offers Prime Time for free to African American, Hispanic, Native American and other families whose children, ages 6 to 10 years, struggle with reading. Prime Time Preschool helps younger children prepare to enter school. 

More than 6,000 Nebraskans have participated in one or more of Prime Time series held in 15 communities throughout the Nebraska since the first session was held in 2002. A 10-year impact study found that students who participated in Prime Time during their early elementary years outperformed their peers on grade level content in standardized exams. Prime Time students scored higher in language arts and reading, math, science, life science and other subjects. 

Thank you for helping families like Gema's develop a love for reading that leads to personal success.