Stris, a stroke survivor, cares for the boys, leaving Mary as the main earner for the family. The family began coming to Literacy Connections in the evenings to work on English and reading. Their tutor soon recognized that both boys were struggling academically and would benefit from additional support. Mary’s four year old was quiet, and she was very concerned about him. She was even worried about his hearing ability. We reached out to the Partnership for Children and enrolled her son in the NC Pre-K program. The pre-kindergarten experience provided assessments and support for the child and his family, and it wasn’t long before he was talking and socializing with other kids his age.
Mary was less concerned about her older son, but we could clearly see that he was worried about school. A sensitive, curious child, he soaked up every bit of the
Communities Supporting School’s Reading Buddies program at his school. Sadly, even with intervention, Mary’s eldest son did not pass third grade. Failure is never a good feeling, no matter how positively one tries to explain it. For any child and especially Mary’s child, failing a grade is devastating and extremely depressing. One evening during a tutoring session,Mary showed her tutor a large stack of papers that she had received from the school. The papers expressed
concerns about her son’s grades and offered interventions to help him, but she could not read them. Once the tutor helped Mary and Stris understand the information, the Reading Buddies program helped to ensure that their eldest son was enrolled in summer camp so he would be able to retest and have a chance to progress to the next grade. This young man worked very hard all summer and was successful!
Communities Supporting School’s Reading Buddies program at his school. Sadly, even with intervention, Mary’s eldest son did not pass third grade. Failure is never a good feeling, no matter how positively one tries to explain it. For any child and especially Mary’s child, failing a grade is devastating and extremely depressing. One evening during a tutoring session,Mary showed her tutor a large stack of papers that she had received from the school. The papers expressed
As COVID-19 hit, the family faced a new challenge. Distance learning! Dad obtained internet and laptops for his two sons, and continues to work with a tutor to navigate his children’s education. Summer tutoring has involved learning activities that the whole family can do together to expose them to technology, reinforce foundational curriculum, and prepare them for another semester of distance learning. Their confidence in their ability to monitor and support their children’s learning from home has grown, even as they continue to learn as a family. What’s on the road ahead for Mary, Stris and their two sons? The possibilities are as boundless as their faith. Mary’s family is now more prepared for the next steps along their journey as they travel toward better education, homeownership and financial stability.
When parents don’t read well there is a 72% chance that their children will struggle and the cycle repeat itself.
Learn how you can OPEN THE DOOR for students, like Mary and her family, by visiting www.literacyconnections ofwaynecounty.org . It's true what they say, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
"Now, more than ever, our community needs us. And we need FRIENDS LIKE YOU."
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