Page 13 - Athens NCG 2024

Books for Keeps, and through the support “It’s so wonderful and compelling to take With the wraparound support of UGA
of Get Comfortable Business Partners – calls from the Governor’s office and the research advisors, community advisors,
companies aligning their generosity through state Department of Education about business partners, and volunteer mentors,
the Get Comfortable Fund. sharing our literacy model,” said Matt so far 29 students who were reading below
Books for Keeps trains Creature Comforts Stevens, Community and Culture Director grade level have joined their peers in
employees, UGA students, and other at Creature Comforts. literacy proficiency.
community volunteers and pairs them with As the literacy program expands to Get Comfortable is an example of how
one or two second- or third-grade students embrace more schools, more business brewing great beer can tap into brewing
for the school year. Each student is exposed partners are invited to the call to serve. even better communities.
to an additional hour of literacy games and More volunteers are needed to train as For more information, to volunteer
best practices instruction each week. mentors with students – a background as a mentor, and to join the business
“The work they are doing with the as an educator is not necessary. community of support, visit:
students amplifies what they’re doing in Onboarding begins late summer for the creaturecomfortsbeer.com/
the classroom,” added Broyard. academic year. get-comfortable
Literacy program mentors are in the
school with their student(s) between 8 and
10 a.m. Some mentors have volunteer time
covered by their employers, are retired, or
are heading into the office.
“You get to see both sides of the
enjoyment of that relationship,” said Colleen Originally created in Athens by local residents, Creature Comforts Brewing
Craven, Literacy Mentor Program Manager Co. celebrates 10 years in 2024.
with Books for Keeps. “In the first year, 82% “It feels like we’re in middle school,” said Fenwick Broyard, Vice
of our mentors reported observing growth President of Brand Impact at Creature Comforts. “We are no longer in
and confidence in reading aloud. We have those start-up years and not yet a well-established institution either. There
an activity that mentors do as they’re getting are all these new opportunities: what to say yes to, say no to, how to stay
to know their students called All about Me. yourself as you scale.”
They ask the kids, what do you want to be The award-winning brewery is a purpose-driven B Corp-certified craft
when you grow up? Two kids have replied brewery. A Certified B Corp is a for-profit corporation certified by B
that they want to be mentors just like them!” Lab, a nonprofit that measures a company’s social and environmental
The word is getting out that effective performance. Last fall they opened a Los Angeles brewery and taproom to
change is happening in Clarke County extend Southern hospitality to the West Coast.
School District.

Athens Area Chamber of Commerce • www.athensga.com • 706-549-6800 Athens Area Chamber of Commerce • www.athensga.com • 706-549-6800 Legacy is Brewing 9