Empowering Adults and Families through Literacy Programs
The Literacy Center of West Michigan
One-on-one adult education and family literacy programs. Helps people navigate day-to-day life like finding a job or using online health services.
Bringing about a just and vibrant West Michigan through the power of literacy. 85,000 adults in Kent County read below a fourth grade level. The center helps them thrive socially and economically.
Adult Education
The largest community-based adult education organization in the state, it works alongside adults who read below a ninth-grade level. Its focus on digital literacy education and affordable internet access became even more critical during the pandemic when daily activities shifted online.
We spoke with Bree Straayer, who was recently appointed director of the Family Literacy Program, to learn how she plans to grow and strengthen it under her leadership. A Grand Rapids native, she brings a decade of experience working with English language learners to her new role.
During the one-day event, WMU students and faculty will present research on best practices for adult learning, while attendees will examine ways to strengthen literacy programs in Southwest Michigan. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is available online.
Family Literacy
Whether their children are in kindergarten or third grade, parents play a critical role in literacy education. But they may lack the resources to help. That’s where the Literacy Center of West Michigan comes in. The program helps increase the English fluency of parents, who in turn boost their children’s reading scores.
Family Literacy is offered at Head Start sites, and the program also reaches out to parents through a partnership with the Kent District Library. It offers classes during the day and evening, so that they can fit into busy schedules. Child care is provided.
The program is being expanded thanks to a grant from the Wege Foundation, which supports projects that bring about a more vibrant and just community. The foundation’s focus areas include education, environment and health. The grant will allow the Literacy Center to offer more classes, and to add a language component for non-native English speakers. The goal is to reach more families.
Digital Literacy
Digital literacy includes the skills needed to read and create content online. It also involves the ability to evaluate the accuracy of digital information and data, as well as understanding how to navigate websites and other digital platforms. Students who possess these skills are better able to collaborate with others online and are more likely to participate actively in civic society and improve communities.
A strong digital literacy framework also teaches self-awareness, which is important because everything you do online leaves a footprint. This includes posts to Instagram, tweets, and blog articles. It is important for adults to understand that these activities may affect their future career prospects.
The Literacy Center offers a wide range of adult education programs, including workplace literacy training, family literacy programs, and citizenship classes for immigrants seeking naturalization. Many adult learners lack the technology and affordable internet access to participate in virtual learning opportunities, but the organization is making progress thanks to a recent grant from the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Volunteer Opportunities
The organization works to bring about a literate community by pairing volunteer tutors with adult learners. Learners are often unable to afford traditional learning programs or need help navigating digital literacy and online health care.
Bree Straayer joined the Family Literacy team as the new director of that program. A Grand Rapids native, she brings a wealth of experience with adults who are language learners to her role. She aligns the program to local needs and national trajectories, mentors teachers, builds partnerships with schools and community organizations, and manages curriculum development and instructor training.
Volunteer with Grass Roots and get your hands dirty at the GVSU Sustainable Agriculture Project. Volunteers will be involved with all aspects of the farm, including greenhouse maintenance, planting, seed starting, weeding, harvesting and more. Join other volunteers in advancing access to clean water for communities around the world. Click here to learn more about the opportunity.
The Literacy Center of West Michigan One-on-one adult education and family literacy programs. Helps people navigate day-to-day life like finding a job or using online health services. Bringing about a just and vibrant West Michigan through the power of literacy. 85,000 adults in Kent County read below a fourth grade level. The center helps them thrive socially and economically. Adult Education The largest community-based adult education organization in the state, it works alongside adults who read below a ninth-grade level. Its focus on digital literacy education and affordable internet access became even more critical during the pandemic when daily activities shifted online. We spoke with Bree Straayer, who was recently appointed director of the Family Literacy Program, to learn how she plans to grow and strengthen it under her leadership. A Grand Rapids native, she brings a decade of experience working with English language learners to her new role. During the one-day event, WMU students and faculty will present research on best practices for adult learning, while attendees will examine ways to strengthen literacy programs in Southwest Michigan. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is available online. Family Literacy Whether their children are in kindergarten or third grade, parents play a critical role in literacy education. But they may lack the resources to help. That’s where the Literacy Center of West Michigan comes in. The program helps increase the English fluency of parents, who in turn boost their children’s reading scores. Family Literacy is offered at Head Start sites, and the program also reaches out to parents through a partnership with the Kent District Library. It offers classes during the day and evening, so that they can fit into busy schedules. Child care is provided. The program is being expanded thanks to a grant from the Wege Foundation, which supports projects that bring about a more vibrant and just community. The foundation’s focus areas include education, environment and health. The grant will allow the Literacy Center to offer more classes, and to add a language component for non-native English speakers. The goal is to reach more families. Digital Literacy Digital literacy includes the skills needed to read and create content online. It also involves the ability to evaluate the accuracy of digital information and data, as well as understanding how to navigate websites and other digital platforms. Students who possess these skills are better able to collaborate with others online and are more likely to participate actively in civic society and improve communities. A strong digital literacy framework also teaches self-awareness, which is important because everything you do online leaves a footprint. This includes posts to Instagram, tweets, and blog articles. It is important for adults to understand that these activities may affect their future career prospects. The Literacy Center offers a wide range of adult education programs, including workplace literacy training, family literacy programs, and citizenship classes for immigrants seeking naturalization. Many adult learners lack the technology and affordable internet access to participate in virtual learning opportunities, but the organization is making progress thanks to a recent grant from the Affordable Connectivity Program. Volunteer Opportunities The organization works to bring about a literate community by pairing volunteer tutors with adult learners. Learners are often unable to afford traditional learning programs or need help navigating digital literacy and online health care. Bree Straayer joined the Family Literacy team as the new director of that program. A Grand Rapids native, she brings a wealth of experience with adults who are language learners to her role. She aligns the program to local needs and national trajectories, mentors teachers, builds partnerships with schools and community organizations, and manages curriculum development and instructor training. Volunteer with Grass Roots and get your hands dirty at the GVSU Sustainable Agriculture Project. Volunteers will be involved with all aspects of the farm, including greenhouse maintenance, planting, seed starting, weeding, harvesting and more. Join other volunteers in advancing access to clean water for communities around the world. Click here to learn more about the opportunity. Go backwards to the home
