End-of-Year Celebration for Families at Lake Wales Family Literacy Academy, May 2009

WHAT: End-of-Year Celebration for Families at Lake Wales Family Literacy Academy

WHEN: Thursday, May 21, 2009

5-8 p.m.

WHERE: Janie Howard Wilson Elementary School

306 Florida Avenue - Lake Wales

WHO: Lake Wales Academy Families and Staff

BACKGROUND: Families enrolled in the Lake Wales Family Literacy Academy will enjoy a festive year-end party to close out this academic year. They’ll enjoy a meal of nutritious, cost effective dishes based on a health and wellness coursework this year, followed by activities for adults and children and a book fair focused on summer reading. Families will also receive a care package from sponsors including Pearson which has donated books to each of the participants. A special reading presentation will be made by James Dease, father and grandfather of Mary Evans and her children, has been learning to read this year. "Because of the program, I can now read to my grandchildren," says Dease. He has begun a mission of speaking to elementary school kids to encourage them to buckle down, improve their reading and finish school, "so you don't have to go through what I have gone through." Serving families in Lake Wales and surrounding areas, the academy offer a four-component program supports families with services that remove educational barriers and maintain a literacy focus for the e ntire family. Volunteer mentors/tutors work closely with families to meet their goals. In addition, current enrollees mentor and support new families.

The program is managed by Volunteer USA Foundation and supported by a Community-based Family Literacy Coalition. Visit www.volunteerusafoundation.org for more information.

CONTACT: Deming Cowles, 863.604.8012

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