Washtenaw County Literacy Coalition: Learning is a Family Thing

Learning is a Family Thing
Vanessa Mayesky
Washtenaw 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