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The adventure is growing When we first announced Chocolate Explorers, we invited Gwinnett families to discover where chocolate comes from through reading, culture, and the five senses. Since then, our community has stepped up in sweet ways, and we can't wait to share what's new! We're thrilled to welcome two partners from the University of Georgia: UGA Extension will host our Touch Station with a fun hands-on surprise for young explorers. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Where does chocolate really come from? Long before it was wrapped in foil, cacao was a plant, a story, and a tradition passed from one generation to the next. This December, families in Gwinnett County are invited to follow that story together. Chocolate Explorers is a free family event on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at the Gwinnett Community Resource Center at Bethany Church Road (3025 Bethany Church Rd, Snellville, GA 30039). Families with preschool

This past Saturday, six families—17 participants—came together for another Cooking Up Literacy experience, and the room was filled with reading, movement, conversation, discovery, and plenty of hands-on learning. We began with a Word of the Day, but families did much more than simply hear its definition. Through an interactive movement activity, children and adults got out of their seats, encountered the new word multiple times, talked about its meaning, and practiced using i

What happens when children are having so much fun learning that they may not even realize how much literacy practice is taking place? That is part of the idea behind Cooking Up Literacy, the signature family-learning program of What’s Stirring Family Foundation. Through Mentors & Scholars at the Table, What’s Stirring Family Foundation is now leading a family literacy initiative in partnership with the Spalding County Collaborative for Families and Children and Divine Reach C

Sometimes helping a child become a stronger reader can be as simple as saying, “Listen to me. Now you try.” That is the idea behind echo reading, an easy literacy strategy families can use almost anywhere—including the kitchen. What Is Echo Reading? Echo reading works just like an echo. The adult reads a short sentence or phrase aloud first. Then the child reads the same words back, trying to follow the adult's example. For example: Adult: “Stir the yogurt until it is smooth.

What happens when families come together around books, food, music, movement, and conversation? On Digital Learning Day, Cooking Up Literacy brought nine families and 31 participants to the Dacula Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library for a joyful afternoon of reading, movement, music, healthy habits, and hands-on cooking. What Happened During the one-hour program, families participated in an interactive experience that combined reading, reader’s theater, singing, move

On September 14, we celebrate the first anniversary of What’s Stirring: Fun, Food & Family. A year ago, Daniel and Alonna launched their first cookbook with a simple vision Daniel expressed this way: “We don’t just want families to get the book. We want them to use the book.” One year later, that vision is becoming something far bigger than a cookbook. What began with family recipes and stories is now helping create opportunities for literacy, nutrition education, cooking, ga

Looking for something fun and meaningful to do with your children on Friday, September 18? Join us for a FREE Cooking Up Literacy family experience at the Dacula Branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library. No registration is required. Parents, grandparents, caregivers, siblings, and children are all welcome to participate together as families read, sing, follow recipes, and create two delicious recipes during this one-hour experience: 🥣 Blueberry Chocolate Chip Parfait 🍋

On Saturday, September 5, eight families joined What’s Stirring Family Foundation for another Cooking Up Literacy experience at the Gwinnett County Community Resource Center in Snellville. Families read, sang, moved, solved a fruit mystery, explored nutrition and science, followed a recipe, and created their own Honey Cocoa Yogurt Parfaits together. Daniel and Alonna served as enthusiastic youth hosts throughout the experience. They also helped create the featured recipe, whi

📚 Cooking Up Literacy Tip of the Week Find something your family enjoys reading and read it together. It can be a favorite picture book, chapter book, poem, song, recipe, or other literacy material. You might read aloud, take turns reading, or listen together using a tool such as Audible. Then invite your child to read—or reread—a favorite part. Most importantly, have fun with it! Try these three simple steps: READ IT. Enjoy the words together. TALK ABOUT IT. Ask what was fu

Honored to celebrate Mr. Anthony “A.D.” Dixon and his extraordinary 49-year career with H.J. Russell & Company—a legacy of engineering, program and construction management, leadership, mentorship, and service, grounded in faith, family, character, and values. Congratulations on a remarkable career and a well-earned retirement! There are some celebrations that do more than mark the end of a career. They cause you to examine the way a person has lived—and perhaps even the way y

A night of mysteries, movement, excavation, reading—and plenty of discovery—at McDonough Public Library What happens when a story doesn't stay on the page? Last Thursday night at McDonough Public Library, nine families helped us answer that question. Children and caregivers didn't simply sit and listen to Unearth a Story. They became part of it. They participated in Reader's Theater. They followed a mystery. They navigated through learning zones. They investigated clues. They

Community service, family connection, and young people discovering the value of giving back At What’s Stirring Family Foundation, we believe strong communities grow when families, schools, young people, nonprofits, and community organizations find meaningful ways to connect and serve together. Sometimes that means creating opportunities for families to learn together. Sometimes it means sharing resources. And sometimes it simply means showing up and asking, “How can we help?”

What Mustang Football Club can teach us about turning our talents, passions, and time into meaningful learning experiences for children Mustang student-athletes share their love of football with younger children through hands-on drills and activities, with coaches providing guidance and support—turning a day on the field into an opportunity to learn, lead, connect, and grow. At What’s Stirring Family Foundation, we believe literacy and learning don't have to begin with a work

Rest, joy, and everyday family moments can create powerful opportunities for children to learn, connect, and grow. Sometimes the most powerful insights about education come from the people experiencing it every day—our kids. This week’s Cooking Up Literacy Tips were inspired by a conversation I had with a middle schooler and an upper elementary student after we listened to a recent podcast featuring The Joy School, a school that provides children with learning differences ind

On the afternoon of Saturday, August 1, families at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta – Lawrenceville Back-to-School Event left with more than school supplies—they left with opportunities to create lasting memories together. We were delighted to place copies of What's Stirring: Fun, Food, and Family, the first book in the What's Stirring cookbook series, into the hands of 15 wonderful families. 📸 Take a look at the photos below of families proudly holding their new cook

Our second Cooking Up Literacy event was filled with surprises, smiles, and lots of learning! Sometimes the best adventures begin unexpectedly, and that's exactly what happened. We packed up, moved to a new room, and before long, the fun was in full swing! Families with children from the primary grades through high school rolled up their sleeves and created TWO delicious recipes—refreshing Lively Lemon Mint Water and creamy Homemade Ice Cream. But the recipes were only the be

To every family who joined us on Friday, thank you for making this event so memorable. There is something special that happens when families slow down long enough to spend time together. We watched parents and children cook together, laugh together, learn together, and even sing together. In that environment, learning happens naturally. Children expanded their vocabulary as they talked about ingredients. They explored science while creating a Blueberry Chocolate Chip Parfait.

We're kicking off the new school year by stirring up literacy, healthy cooking, financial confidence, and STEM—one family at a time! We can't wait to share this exciting weekend with our community. There is something special about the excitement of a new school year. New backpacks. New friendships. New opportunities. At What's Stirring Family Foundation, we believe it's also the perfect time to remind families that some of the best learning happens together—around the kitchen

Take a walk, share new words, and stay hydrated—every step is a chance to learn together. Can I let you in on a little challenge? Like many families, we know it's not always easy to drink enough water each day. We also know that finding time for outdoor play, physical movement, and reading can feel like one more thing to squeeze into an already busy schedule. So why not combine them? Grab a water bottle and head outside for a family Walk, Talk & Water adventure! As you walk,