Lawrence

History:

Lori Jorge joined Raising A Reader MA as Program Coordinator for Lawrence in May, 2008. The 2008-2009 program year launch to Lawrence, our first community outside of Greater Boston, has confirmed a solid system of entry, key partnerships for success, and an easily scalable and desirable program model. In addition, Lawrence is the focus of our child outcomes study, which began in the Fall of 2009.

Early childhood professionals all over Lawrence attended Raising A Reader MA trainings, becoming better equipped to support parents in establishing and maintaining regular read-aloud time at home. The response to the Raising A Reader MA program has been rhapsodic.

Program coordinator Lori Jorge reports that the excitement exuding from teachers is evident. “They want to start yesterday,” Lori asserts. Following one staff training session, Maryellen King, Director of the Methuen YMCA eagerly affirmed “This is fantastic! We are so thrilled to have Raising A Reader!”

In addition to training providers, Raising A Reader MA is dedicated to equipping families with the training and tools they need to share books together. Now all Raising A Reader parents are armed with read-aloud techniques they’ll be able to use regardless of their own reading abilities.

“What I am most proud of is the focused work with the Family Day Care Providers and the sense of renewal and energy in the work of these independent business owners, some held “family meetings” for the first time and have become “active” collaborators with Raising A Reader.” Lori Jorge, Raising A Reader MA Program Coordinator, Lawrence

There is a small, rapidly growing legion of Raising A Reader MA adults in Lawrence – parents and early childhood program partners – who are working together to improve each child’s chances for a successful future.

Community Events

Lawrence Family Fun Literacy Day

Veritas Bank Supports Raising A Reader MA in Lawrence

Who we serve:

22 childcare centers, 28 family day care providers, and 2,118 children (ages 0-5).

We hit the ground running with 9 programs and we have grown to 22!

Program Partners:

Breen Public School, Rollins Public School, Hennessy Public School, Community Ballard Way, Community Teen Program at the High School, Community Campus Learning Center, Kid Start Center, L’Davinci Center, GLCAC, Little Sprouts Merrimack St., Little Sprouts Ballard Way, Lawrence YMCA, Lawrence YWCA, Methuen YMCA, Asian Center, MSPCC Healthy Families, MSPCC Connecting Families, MSPCC Early Intervention, 28 Family Day Care Educators, PCHP, Community Campus Learning Center #2

Other Local Partners: Raising A Reader MA in Lawrence has developed a strong relationship with the Lawrence Public Library which has allowed the program to have wonderful access to the entire Lawrence Community and interaction with all Lawrence residents. Raising A Reader MA in Lawrence prides itself on being an active member of the largest community networking group, the Greater Lawrence Community Partnership Council, where all programs meet to learn anything and everything that is new in our community which has to do with kids 0—14.

Current and Past Events:

Raising A Reader MA in Lawrence had its second Birthday, with a big celebration at the Lawrence Public Library. We look forward to this annual event which was very well attended by the various centers.

Raising A Reader MA Lawrence is a participant in the annual Literacy Event held at the Library, the most popular event all year in Lawrence and attended in 2010 by well over 300 families.

Storytime at the Lawrence Library:

Raising A Reader MA first story time in the Lawrence Public Library on April 15, 2009, welcomed over 130 children and teachers at one story time, and are now getting requests for “reserved story times” by current community partners. Due to this success, Storytime continues today at the library.

Seeds to Literacy Conference:

On May 2, 2009, Raising A Reader MA Coordinators presented training about dialogic reading techniques at the Planting the Seeds of Literacy Conference, hosted by the Lawrence CPC. Approximately 20 parents and children attended to learn more about making literacy a part of their lives.