A volunteer group working with second graders one on one to improve their reading has received grants that will allow it to continue and expand its work.
The Friends of Aurora's After-School Programs (FAAP) has received $75,000 from the Dunham Fund for its McCleery Reading Mentor Program and Hope for Tomorrow student worker scholarship program.
In addition, FAAP has been included in a 21st Century Grant with Communities In Schools that will allow it to provide one-on-one reading mentors starting in January for the after-school programs at Hill, McCleery, and Greenman for the next three years.
FAAP depends on volunteers, grants and private donations to provide reading mentor programs, family library nights, reading clubs and summer library programs.
“It is not uncommon for a student to make a year’s growth in reading after working in the FAAP McCleery Reading Mentor Program,” says McCleery Principal Cherie Esposito.
Improving the reading of second graders is a key, according to FAAP founder Janet Momper, who has been a certified teacher for 29 years with experience in the areas of reading, elementary education and after school programs. Reading experts agree that it is critical to get children reading by third grade. If students are not reading by then, there is a 74 percent chance they will never catch up.
For more information on FAAP, contact Amanda Talley at 630-788-5009, atalley17@gmail.com or visit readwithfaap.org.
