washtenaw county literacy coalition: learning is a family thing

Learning is a Family Thing

Vanessa MayeskyWashtenaw County Literacy Coalition

Washtenaw County Literacy Coalition (WCLC)

• Formed in 2007• Over 30 organizations• Mission: End Illiteracy in Washtenaw County

Blueprint to End Illiteracy

• Create a comprehensive system of literacy services

• Address both literacy skills acquisition and application

Learning is a Family Thing

• First programming project of WCLC• Two-hour interactive sessions for families• Four sessions, five sites• Funded by United Way of Washtenaw County

Five Sites

• Ann Arbor District Library• Community Church of God (Ypsilanti)• Faith in Action (Chelsea)• Jewish Family Services• Ypsilanti District Library

Four Sessions

• Reading Together• Dollars & Sense• Workplace Skills• Healthy Families

Healthy Families

• Three concurrent sessions for children and adults.

• Health-related activities for pre-K.• Healthy snack provided.

Adult Sessions

• Ask Me 3• Nutrition• What to do When Your Child Gets Sick

Youth Sessions

• Nutrition (extended session)• Physical Activity

Pre-K Activities

• Make & Take Placemat• Body outline• Health-related stories and games

Giveaways

• Referral information for Public Health, WIC, tutoring services, other resources

• Gift card giveaway• Reference book, pedometer, placemat• Children’s books

Results

• 400 individuals (all LIFT sessions)• Positive evaluations• Enhanced working relationships between

coalition members

Next Steps

• LIFT planning team meets this fall• Project complete by June 2010

Want to Help?

• Planning team• Presenter• Host a session• Contact Vanessa Mayesky:

mayesky@washtenawliteracy.org