2017 Community Grants for Literacy
Literacy is a fundamental way to transform a community. Marion Community Foundation has put its resources behind that statement, awarding nearly $33,000 to literacy-related projects in its 2017 Community Grants program.
The recently announced grants include $15,000 to Let’s Read 20, $9,384 to the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities, $7,500 for Marion Public Library’s My First Library Card, and $895 to Epworth Preschool & Daycare. These are among the $538,000 awarded community-wide in this year’s grants cycle.
According to program manager Mike Ring, “Let’s Read 20 is a community-wide initiative that promotes early childhood literacy and is attempting to positively impact the culture of our community and the way it values reading, education and academic success.”
The program, which focuses on its core mission of encouraging parents to read to their young children at least 20 minutes a day, grew out of demonstrated need.
“Last year, test scores reported to the Ohio Department of Education indicated that only 59.3% of Marion children assessed were ready to enter kindergarten,” said Ring. “And, third grade reading scores indicated only 79% of 3rd graders countywide were reading at their current grade level. We are working to change that.”
Let’s Read 20 distributed in excess of 80,000 books in Marion County and is a frequent guest at literacy events in the schools and throughout the community. But more than books, Let’s Read 20 is focused on getting parents to read to their children 20 minutes every day.
“In the business of the day and evening activities, it is tough,” said Ring. “But, parents simply need to prioritize it. Early literacy sets kids up for success in life.”
The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) will, with its grant, teach parents to help their own children learn effective reading strategies.
“We believe that all children have a right to a meaningful and relevant education,” said Amy Freeman of OCECD. “This belief affirms the dignity of each child or youth with disabilities, whose needs are unique and whose needs must be met equally and appropriately.”
OCECD is a statewide nonprofit organization that serves families of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities in Ohio. Since 1984, OCECD has served as the Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) for the state of Ohio. Established in 1972, OCECD currently employs 28 staff in 15 offices who are primarily parents or family members of children or adults with disabilities or persons with disabilities and serve individuals from birth to age 26.
Marion Public Library’s grant will support the My First Library Card program, which seeks to encourage reading at a very young age and to encourage youth to use the local public library.
This grant addresses community literacy rates by encouraging new parents to take advantage of the resources available for their child’s early literacy development. According to David Hepp at the Marion Public Library, much research has shown that the earlier a child is introduced to books and reading, the greater their chance at future educational success.
“One key to this program is making parents and their young children feel incredibly welcomed in the library,” said Hepp. “This is accomplished by creating a special library card reserved for readers aged 0-5 years. Aside from its unique design, it allows the checkout of items from the Library’s Kids Area without the accumulation of late fees and provides each new reader with a gift of a book bag and book. More information is available at Marion Public Library.”
Epworth Preschool & Daycare’s grant comes from the Child Care Choices Fund at Marion Community Foundation. The grant will be used to purchase curriculum materials to update the early learning program at Epworth.
According to Epworth’s executive director Page Gustin, the grant will enable her staff members to update the curriculum specific to the developmental needs of the children by age, ability level, interests, behavioral needs, and community.
“Keeping the educational materials current is essential,” she said. “It will help create a continuity of learning and will build a higher level of mastery for skills that students need in order to be successful throughout their educational lives.”
These grants are among the 36 awarded to 30 local nonprofits this year. The 2017 grants committee includes: Judge Deb Alspach, chair, Jeremy Dunn, Kelly Garrett, Dr. Henry Heinzmann, Rev. Dan Kiger, Dr. Kim Stark, and Nicolle Wampler.
“The task is much more important than simply giving out money,” said Alspach. “We are challenged to consider many things — like responding to the greatest needs in Marion, solving our community issues, helping forge solutions, developing sustained solutions, facilitating collaborations, and encouraging innovative ideas.”
Marion Community Foundation is located at 504 S. State St. in Marion and information is available by visiting or calling, 740-387-9704.
