Spring 2017 Newsletter
Our Spring 2017 Newsletter is all about our move to Muskegon Heights and the opening of our Family Literacy Center. Click on the link below to read all about it!
Read Muskegon to relocate to Downtown Muskegon Heights
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:
- 1-1 tutoring
- Small group classes focused on improving functional literacy, job readiness and instruction for parents on how to engage in early literacy development with their children
- English as a Second Language small group class focused on job readiness, functional literacy and developing early literacy in children
- Literacy based Play & Learn groups for low-literacy parents and 0-5 year-olds
- Literacy based ABC’s of Cooking, a six-week parent and child healthy cooking workshop for low-literacy parents and 0-5 year-olds
- Drop-in Literacy Lab tutoring
- Family Reading Corner open 5 days a week
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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Team Up with Us for Our Next Tutor Training April 17th and 18th!
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!
Come Join Us at Our Bi-Weekly Play & Learn
Play & Learn
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
- March 6th
- March 20th
- April 10th
- April 24th
- May 8th
- May 22nd
Call Sarah at 231-766-5040 with any questions!
Read Muskegon Quarterly Newsletter Now Online
Click on the link below to catch up on what’s been happening at Read Muskegon and what we’re planning for the future.
Read Muskegon Quarterly Newsletter
Read Muskegon Presents: Vox Vidorra & The EduKators
Join us at the Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts on Saturday, May 21st for a great night of music by two talented West Michigan bands. All event proceeds will support Read Muskegon’s mission of providing free literacy programs to the over 21,000 low literacy adults in our county.
Vox Vidorra (voxvidorra.com) is a four person indie/soul quartet from Grand Rapids whose name means “the voice of the life you were meant to live.” Their recent album, Promise Land, won the 2016 Jammie Album of the Year and was selected as the featured song of Art Prize 2015.
“…a singularly infectious mix of soul, rock and jazz.” – localspin.com
“…Vox Vidorra wowed the audience with their energetic, soulful live performance.” – Tom Stankard, Daily Globe.
“Vox Vidorra craft rich, colorful soul songs with flecks of jazz and indie rock” – revuewm.com
“Vox Viodorra will get you to put that cell phone down.” –mlive.com
The Edukators spend their spare time as teachers and administrators in Muskegon County schools. Playing a blend of old and new favorites, they’ve filled venues like the Howmet Playhouse in support of great causes and a good time. There’s nothing better than discovering your biology teacher leads a secret life as a rock star!
February 2016 Newsletter Now Online
We’ve been busy! Click on the link below to catch up on all of the news.
Read Muskegon’s Winter 2016 Newsletter
7th Annual Scrabble FUNdraiser ~ March 5th
Join Us For The
7th Annual
Saturday, March 5th, 6-9 pm
Watermark 920
Gather up your favorite Words With Friends addicts or your wordy co-workers
for an evening of friendly competition and a little bit of healthy local rivalry
all in support of Read Muskegon’s mission of creating
a more literate Muskegon County.
for an evening of friendly competition and a little bit of healthy local rivalry
all in support of Read Muskegon’s mission of creating
a more literate Muskegon County.
$100 registration fee for teams of 2-4 players.
Includes a light dinner.
Cash bar ~ Raffle
Prizes for high and low score, highest single word score
and most creative team name/costumes
Cash bar ~ Raffle
Prizes for high and low score, highest single word score
and most creative team name/costumes
6:00 Check-in, Food & Drinks
7:00 Games Begin
Register online at www.readmuskegon.org
For more information please contact Louise at 231-769-5985 or louise.schaallema@readmuskegon.org
2016 Tutor Training Dates
Read Muskegon relies on volunteers to provide the majority of our services. From 1-1 tutoring, to providing support in one of our classes, to helping at a family literacy event, there are a variety of ways you can make a difference. You don’t need to be a teacher to volunteer, just a desire to help someone change their life through the gift of improved literacy. We provide extensive training and ongoing support to all of our volunteers.
For more information, contact Sarah Klassen at 231-766-5040.
2016 Training Dates:
January 26 & 27
March 22 & 23
May 24 & 25
July 26 & 27
October 25 & 26
November 8 &9
All trainings are from 5:45 – 9:00 pm and are held at the Central United Methodist Church, 1011 2nd St., Muskegon.
An orientation is required prior to the training to provide you with a better understanding of our mission and the various volunteer opportunities.
The Gift of Literacy – Part 2
In mid-December, we hosted our 2nd Annual Holiday Literacy Village for families involved in Read Muskegon programs, enrolled in local Head Starts or participating in other parent support programs. Parents and children made their way through nine stations, each focused on fun ways to build early literacy skills. Before heading home, each child was able to select several books to keep and each parent was provided with a literacy resource bag. Thank you to all of those who helped make this event possible including our many individual donors. And a big thanks to the Whitehall High School NHS students who got up bright and early on a Saturday morning to volunteer! The gift of literacy is one that will last a lifetime.
Find Us Online!
