Literacy Center aids afterschool enrichment programs

Two central Michigan area child enrichment programs will receive enrichment help from an organization within the College of Education and Human Services, thanks to a grant from the state of Michigan.

The Literacy Center is supporting Little Sprouts Day Care and River's Edge Learning Tree Child Development Center with materials to promote cross-disciplinary literacy, said Tiffany Flowers, Marie Berrell Endowed Professor of Literacy and The Literacy Center’s director.

Flowers focused on the two programs in the Bay City area because of their proximity to CMU. (Timeframe for program)

“The university should have a strong commitment to its community,” she said.

The director of the two centers was also ready to partner with The Literacy Center to implement programming paid for through a $175,000 grant from the Michigan Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential program, Flowers said.

Flowers called Danaea Foor, director for both programs, “a good partner.”

The materials focus on K-6 children and will provide resources to support staff during structured after-school programs. But Flowers said she plans to visit the two for supplemental events on family nights.

“We’re bringing the party to the students,” she said.

Those family nights will include a STEM night, a poetry event and an illustrator night. They also plan to host an event where an author can come showcase their work.

Both programs provide services to children before and after school, she said. It’s also where they spend most of their days in the summer, when school is out.

Flowers said they hope to qualify for grant money next year to keep the program going.