Summer Scholars in Action
Lots of learning and fun happening this summer via our Reading Intervention program with our new school partners: Havard Elementary, Ripley House (BakerRipley), and Rhodes School-Humble. We abbreviated our 25-week program into 4 weeks to support kindergarten through 5th grade students and help prepare them for the upcoming school year and beyond.
Thank you IIAH Volunteers!
The Independent Insurance Agents of Houston (IIAH) recently hosted a Group Storytime event for our Summer Reading Intervention students at the Ripley House campus of BakerRipley. The volunteer readers did a read aloud of “The Night Before Summer Vacation” that included a fun reading activity and craft! The students had a blast and it was a great way to officially kick off their summer break!
Thanks to our Terrific Teens!
School’s out for the summer and Literacy Now’s Teen Tuesday has officially begun! We had a terrific group of teens that were able to assist with back to school preparations for our reading programs. Our young volunteers were able to assist with sorting binders, organizing, book stamping, and even took time to refill the Story Swap Library for the children in the Belmont Place / LaFontaine apartment complex. Grateful for our youth volunteers that were able to lend a helping hand during Teen Tuesday! For more information on Teen Tuesday, contact Precious Daniels at precious@literacynowhouston.org.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
As Jacque steps down from her role as Chief Executive Officer, we thought it would be fun to share some highlights from our first year of existence.
2006 – 2007:
- Making It Better was founded by Jerry Davis with Jacque running the organization
- Provided reading and math tutorials to 3rd- 5th graders only
- 91 children served at Walnut Bend Elementary, 85 of those children had evacuated to Houston due to Hurricane Katrina
- Contract staff for HISD funded by a federal Katrina grant
- Large summer program at Westside High School
- Revenue: < $100,000
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
In addition to Jacque switching her role to Donor and Partner Relations Liaison and Jacklyn moving into the CEO position, we want to take this opportunity to congratulate the following staff on their new positions. Ashley Servin will now be the Operations Manager where she will manage the overall operational functions related to human resources, facilities, technology, and logistics. Precious Daniels will serve as the Community Relations Manager where she will be establishing and maintaining positive relationships between Literacy Now and the community, including volunteer recruitment and retention, building connections, increasing awareness, and promoting Literacy Now within the community. Congratulations to Ashley and Precious on your promotions – we are excited to see you shine in your new roles.
Blessings,
Jacque Daughtry
Chief Executive Officer