Read Muskegon’s Holiday Village was a huge success. This year’s event was held at Covenant Community Church. Over 100 of our neighbors participated in 10 village stations that were designed to help build early literacy skills. Santa made sure each child got a stack of books to bring home along with the ornaments and cookies they decorated. Thanks to our friends at Read Early Read Often for donating the beautiful books!
While Read Muskegon has been running programs from our new space at 26 E. Broadway since June, 2017, we marked the official opening of our new Family Literacy Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony in October. Muskegon Heights Mayor, Kim Sims, and MAISD Superintendent, John Severson, spoke about the importance of our partnerships before the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce helped officiate the ribbon cutting. We were thrilled to have so many members of our community join in our celebration.
Over the past 3 years, Read Muskegon has developed programs tailored to lower literacy adults. Through a grant from the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act, Read Muskegon is now able to expand this program and also include specialized classes for English Language Learners (ELL).
The ELL class also includes curriculum focused on family literacy so that parents who are new to the English language also understand how to support their children’s academic readiness and success. Besides improving their literacy, all participants learn important skills such as following directions, verbal communication, and how to provide positive feedback.
Classes meet twice per week with a rolling admission. Participants receive certificates for every 40 hours of class completed, with the option to expand their learning time at our Family Literacy Center with 1-1 tutoring or specially designed software.
For more information, contact Noah Reynolds, ESL Program Instructor at 231-747-7273 or noah.reynolds@readmuskegon.org
For more information on enrollment in these classes, call 231-747-7273. Sign Up Today!
We are so excited about our new Family Literacy Center located at 26 E. Broadway Avenue in the heart of the City of Muskegon Heights. We have made so much progress with the getting our new space set up to accommodate those we serve. As we continue to organize, we continue to discover items that we are still in need of.
We have compiled a “Wish List” of specific items that can be donated to help us make the space safe and efficient. Here are the items we are in need
To donate any of these items or if you have questions, please contact our Office Manager, Tish Williams at tish.williams@readmuskegon.org or by calling our office at 231-747-7273.
We would like to thank everyone for your generous donations. We sincerely appreciate your generosity and support.
Join us at our new Family Literacy Center at 26 E. Broadway for a one-hour conversation. Learn how adult illiteracy is impacting our county. Find out how Read Muskegon is breaking generational cycles of illiteracy through customized programs that meet the unique needs of our learners. Tour our new location and learn how it will play a critical role in our mission.
June 22 8:30 am June 22 4:30 pm
July 11 10:00 am July 11 4:30 pm
July 20 8:00 am July 20 5:00 pm
Aug 3 10:00 am Aug 3 4:30 pm
RSVP to Tish Williams:
tish.williams@readmuskegon.org 231-747-7273
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Read Muskegon to relocate to Downtown Muskegon Heights
In partnership with the City of Muskegon Heights Downtown Development Authority, local non-profit organization Read Muskegon will open a Family Literacy Center at 26 East Broadway in the spring of 2017. The center will act as a countywide hub for literacy with a focus on providing programming for low-literacy adults and their 0-5 year-old children.
Read Muskegon will be the first organization to partner with the Downtown Development Authority to invigorate commercial corridors in Muskegon Heights. As Read Muskegon brings its programs and administrative offices to the new site, it also brings its volunteers and partners, allowing them to see firsthand the opportunities that exist in the City.
According to Melissa Moore, President of Read Muskegon, “Opening a literacy center that is accessible to many of our learners with the most critical needs has been at the core of Read Muskegon’s long-term planning. We are excited about all of the opportunities that relocating to the heart of the Muskegon Heights downtown will bring with it.”
The menu of services offered at the Literacy Center will include:
Additionally, Read Muskegon will offer community-based Family Literacy activities and book distribution at the Height’s Farmer’s Market, family movie nights, and other community events.
“The DDA Board has been extremely proactive in assisting the City with our economic development efforts, and will play a key role moving forward as we work to establish viability and diversity in our offerings downtown. We at the City of Muskegon Heights are thrilled to see Read Muskegon making an investment in our downtown, and are confident they will make a great impact in our community,” said City Manager Jake Eckholm.
One in six adults in the United States is functionally illiterate, reading at or below the 4th grade level. In Muskegon County, that translates to more than 21,000 adults. The adverse effects of illiteracy are felt in our economic, education, criminal justice, and health care systems. Read Muskegon is focused on breaking the generational cycle of illiteracy by providing customized programs that meet the unique needs of their learners.
Contact:
Melissa Moore
231-830-5539
melissa.moore@readmuskegon.org
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Our next Tutor Training is April 17th and 18th from 6-9pm! There is always dinner provided (usually pizza)! Both nights are required unless you have made special arrangements with Sarah.
It will be located at our office at Central United Methodist Church (1011 2nd St. Muskegon, MI 49440).
If you are interested in joining our awesome team of volunteers, please contact Sarah at 231-766-5040 to sign up for an orientation prior to completing a tutor training.
You MUST sign-up with Sarah and complete an orientation before attending the training!
Hands-on Activities for Ages 0-5
ABC Learning Centers
Chance for Parent and Child to Bond, Learn, and have FUN!
FREE Snacks & Books!
1 PM to 2:30 PM
Samuel Lutheran Church
540 Houston Ave.
Muskegon MI, 49442
Call Sarah at 231-766-5040 with any questions!
