Reading Is Important!
Angels of Action values literacy, because feeding the minds of our children strengthens them. Reading improves vocabulary, comprehension, and imagination. It can also reduce stress and empower our youth. To help children and adults in our community unlock their full potential of reading, we have created Literacy in Action (LIA).
Literacy in Action is an incentive-based literacy program that serves the children and families of Mecosta and Osceola counties. The program fosters growth with the hope of brighter futures for the entire family.
The goal of LIA is to strengthen families through an incentive-based approach, believing that access plus education, equals change. LIA works with families to foster child development, offer child tutoring, and parental support. In addition, programs are offered that assist adults with furthering their employment and/or personal literacy skills; arming them with the necessary tools to support themselves and their family.
Through donations of gently-used and new books, we are able to reward LIA students with books when they meet their goals. In addition to the students that come to us, we also give children in our Backpack Blessings program books four times throughout the school year. They truly love to receive something special just for them!
Literacy In Action Spotlight
When Buddy came to us, he was unable to read the words on a page. Trying to read would frustrate him so greatly that he would put the book down and simply refuse. As a first grader, Buddy lacked the confidence in reading out loud at such an extreme level he even resisted in the comforting presence of his own mother.
Knowing that he needed help, Buddy’s mother, Melissa contacted Literacy In Action. At the time of concern, Melissa and her family was already receiving support from Angels of Action, working her way to a better life on a Journey Plan with the HUB. Because of the connections she has made at Angels of Action, Melissa knew LIA was a safe place for her son to receive the help he needed with reading.
Buddy joined LIA in May of 2021. He was a 1st grader who wasn’t able to read at a kindergarten level. The tutors at LIA took Buddy under their wing and began lessons once a week.
Focusing on sight words, letter recognition, and phonics, Buddy was able to meet his goals, time and time again over the past 16 months. Showing significant growth in all categories, Buddy is now taking on chapter books as he begins 2nd grade.
While the school year begins, Buddy continues to have weekly sessions with our volunteer tutors at LIA. Buddy’s mother, Melissa shared with us, “Buddy likes to read and really enjoys picking out books at the library.” She continued, “I am proud of what he has become, if it wasn’t for Angels of Action he would still be struggling with reading.”
LIA was founded because of a need that co-founder and President of Angels of Action, Joni Thompson, helped recognize in the community about five years ago. During a Mecosta Reads meeting, where a group of people would come together to conduct research and analyze data about the reading levels in the county, Joni decided that Literacy In Action would be a program that could positively impact the community in a large way.
Currently, LIA offers one-on-one sessions with volunteer tutors. For the tutors at LIA, it’s about so much more than just helping those in need. They have care and love for the students they help and truly want to see them succeed. LIA is currently helping 14 students a month, and two adults who are working towards brightening their future.
Programs like this take the whole community, volunteer tutors, book donations, and volunteer organizers are what makes LIA thrive.