A Day with Our Corporate Partner PA Consulting

March 5, 2024, at P.S. 5 Port Morris in The Bronx, New York

Representatives from PA Consulting joined Start Lighthouse at its  P.S. 5 Literacy Hub engaging in student activities, reading books, and building strong connections with our students. 

The transformative power of literacy is truly incredible. When students enter Start Lighthouse’s  Literacy Hub, where imagination and learning flourish, their eyes light up and smiles widen. There’s nothing like seeing the joy of reading in our Pre-K to 5th-grade students.

Start Lighthouse seeks partners who share our mission of closing the literacy gap in NYC. Thank you, PA Consulting, for this exciting partnership that spans nearly four years! Together, we have built three Literacy Hubs and touched more than 5,000 students' lives through Start Lighthouse’s literacy programming. 

In the middle picture is Gemma Rodgers, a board member and Trustee of PA Consulting.

During PA Consulting’s yearly site visit, they work closely with our students in small groups, helping them with their reading. Throughout the day, PA representatives including Nora Hernandez Garcia and Emanuel Wasson engage in activities that support and enhance the students' literacy skills.
It was great for the students to have a one-on-one with someone,” observes Aura Valdez, Site Coordinator for Start Lighthouse. As PS 5’s hub teacher, she works with the students daily and appreciates the fresh perspective visitors bring to the hub. Instead of addressing students as a whole class, PA representatives provided more personalized attention to each student's learning needs.

PA Consulting Representatives Experience

Nora Hernandez Garcia, a senior consultant at PA Consulting, observed how Start Lighthouse has significantly improved students' attendance. She noted that students look forward to attending school and engaging in reading.

“When you come yearly you see how the children have grown. I recognize them. And you realize their progress from reading to them to them reading to you and it's just amazing the difference” Nora shares. Nora is in awe of Start Lighthouse's simple yet effective tools and shares that PA Consulting has also adapted them. 

Nora recalls how joyful and appreciative the kids were for the books, and how their faces lit up with motivation for reading. Students embraced her, demonstrating their excitement. Nora continues, “They empower teens and children and have the tools to bring them to reality, spaces to encourage, make an impact, and have FUN! That is what we are here to do.” Through three visits, the magic of Start Lighthouse was able to shine and show others just how crucial child literacy is. 

Emanuel visited Start Lighthouse’s Literacy Hub several times. He loves how the literacy hubs allow students to focus on the stories they are reading.

“There is a trust that students show to you. There is a difference when you see black (particularly) boys putting their trust in me. I wish I had someone who spent that time with me” says Emanuel. Growing up, Emanuel never saw characters who looked like him or his friends. At the Hub, students of all ethnicities are represented, which surprised Emanuel when walking into the Hub. “Imagery is so important,” and kids feel seen in such a big environment. 

Emanuel Wasson serves on Start Lighthouse’s Young Professional Board and is a consultant at PA Consulting. To bring ingenuity to life, PA’s motto, he truly believes that children and education are the gateway. Start Lighthouse provides more than just books; it is a place where “values and confidence are instilled” to prepare kids for the real world.

He can see how students spend their time at home reading. As someone who didn’t feel reading was essential to his life, a wall is broken down for these students to have the same opportunities when improving their literacy skills. “Students are helping one another. I think it is so cool that they feel confident enough to teach their peers how to pronounce words or even read together.” Start Lighthouse instills generosity, curiosity, and grace into every reader.

Thank you to PA Consulting for your unwavering support. As Start Lighthouse builds one more Literacy Hub in the summer, we value our partners in our growing family.