2026 Making a Better World Initiative Recipients Puerdo Leer (I Can Read) Paraguay Submitted by Mary Yonkers Mexico Epsilon
The Yo Puedo Leer program was launched in 2024 in Paraguay to address early literacy challenges faced by children from underprivileged communities, that do not have books at home before entering school. This initiative is supported as part of the Epsilon World Understanding Project and is led by Mary Yonker, a member of the Epsilon chapter in Mexico, reflecting a strong commitment to improving lives through education. The program was created to foster a love of reading in early childhood. The primary goal of Yo Puedo Leer is to provide children ages 3, 4, and 5 with access to ageappropriate books that support early literacy skills. Each child receives a set of 12 patterned, leveled books designed for emergent readers. The program is implemented through collaboration with parents, schools, and local communities in rural Paraguay. The books were written and designed specifically for this initiative by Mary Yonker and Yvette Carter and are delivered directly to families, creating each child’s first home library. Yo Puedo Leer emphasizes home access to books, empowering families to actively participate in their children’s learning. To date, 300 families have requested books, and 85 complete sets have been funded, with distribution planned for March 2026. The impact has been immediate and meaningful: families report increased interest in reading, repeated engagement with books, and visible enthusiasm from children. Through Epsilon World Understanding support, fundraising, and community partnerships, Yo Puedo Leer continues working to make a better world—one home library at a time.
Community Outreach- A Social Responsibility & Networking Opportunities Submitted by: Mary Ellen Lopez Colorado Alpha Iota
Cognizant of the importance of social responsibility, CO Alpha Iota Chapter programming focused on Community Outreach this biennium. Several meetings incorporated this component to a degree, but one meeting in particular had the greatest impact and exceeded all expectations. November 24th was A Thousand Dollar Plus Day! Two Pueblo community nonprofit agencies were the recipients of generous Alpha Iota Chapter donations. This altruistic effort spearheaded by Mary Ellen Lopez (CMC) and Alpha Iota Sister Gina Lopez Ferguson, Philanthropic Lead for Caring for Colorado Foundation, began as a response to food drives by local organizations to fill their pantry shelves during a pending government shutdown. It became a reason to meet and act. Gina provided the meeting space and enlightened members in attendance with an informative talk on Food Systems in our Pueblo Community & SNAP Issues. Alpha Iotas filled a carload of canned food and Thanksgiving-related food items to be delivered to Pueblo Cooperative Care Center, a nonprofit that is known as the central hub for individuals in crisis and is now the largest emergency food resource in Southern Colorado. Energized by Gina’s presentation, the chapter approved a $500 donation to assist this nonprofit with its work. A phenomenal response to this project also led to a vote to share some food donations with Servicios de La Raza— a nonprofit serving Pueblo’s Latino community. By networking with local community nonprofits to promote programs that improve the quality of life for those in great need, Alpha Iota has made a positive impact.