This paper describes how 20 pre-service teachers enrolled in two social studies methods courses at Buffalo State College worked collaboratively to produce a Cross-cultural Literacy Fair at an urban-based elementary school. The participatory activities created for the event were provided in conjunction with a community after-school program and directed at promoting literacy and cross-cultural understandings not only for the children enrolled at the school but for their parents, as well. Events yielded a positive venue for Teacher Candidates to interact with parents and children and demonstrated ways literacy and other cultural understandings can be successfully and appreciatively supported at home. The authors are educators in the Department of Elementary Education and Reading and work with students enrolled in social studies/literacy methods courses that are infused within their first field based practicum at Enterprise Charter School (ECS), an urban based professional development school with demographics generally indicating high percentages of minority children from high poverty families.