Children in Avesta homes are learning math skills and boosting their chances of academic success thanks to a new partnership between Avesta Housing and a Maine nonprofit.

Presented by the Early Math and Language Initiative (EMLI), the Family Math program teaches pre-K children in under-resourced communities through a combination of storytelling, group activities, and one-on-one instruction provided by trained instructors and volunteers. Parents are also encouraged to participate so that they can better support their child’s math education.

The Family Math program is taught at West End Apartments in South Portland and will launch at Pearl Place in Portland in September. EMLI may also offer classes at Avesta’s Westbrook campus in late fall.

“Children are naturally drawn to math. At a very young age, they are working with blocks, separating things into groups, and comparing the sizes of objects,” said Jayashree Sonti, co-founder and executive director of EMLI. “But they also hear that math can be difficult, and that can create anxiety. So, one of the goals is to get not only the children but their families excited about math.”

Students who complete the 16-week program are not only better prepared academically, they gain confidence that will positively impact their lives throughout childhood and beyond.

“Our belief is if you give them math skills, they will excel in other areas,” Jayashree said.

PHOTO: Zane Jay, youth leadership coordinator with Gateway Community Services Maine, and Jayashree Sonti, co-founder and executive director of EMLI, hand out graduation certificates to children who have completed the EMLI Family Math program at West End Apartments in South Portland.