Lead With Literacy is inviting families to join the third cohort of its Macon Family Time program. It will meet every Friday beginning February 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Bloomfield-Gilead Recreation Center (1931 Rocky Creek Road). Families can register for the cohort through March 1, meaning they would miss only one of the sessions. 

“Literacy is at the core of everything a child needs to be successful in school and life,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “Thank you to Lead With Literacy for helping families improve their children’s abilities and grow closer together throughout the process.” 

Space in this free 11-week program is limited, so families are highly encouraged to register early. To find out more information and to register, call or text 478-318-9668, email info@leadwithliteracyga.org, or send a message on Facebook.   

“Our family coaches work with parents and children to help them develop happier family relationships, increase shared reading time, improve mental health outcomes, decrease youth alcohol, and drug use, violence, and delinquent behavior,” says Tamika Withers with Lead with Literacy. “Building stronger families through literacy is the heart of this program.”   

Each session begins with family dinner and discussions followed by separate skills classes for adults and youth. The classes incorporate engaging hands-on activities, interactive games, and group discussions on topics relevant to todays’ families. During the family activity, coaches will provide test taking strategies for students and tips to help parents prepare them for the upcoming Georgia Milestones Testing. Families also receive a Book of the Week to add to their home library.   

“Reducing violent crime in our community is going to take years of work, focusing on every child and every family who reaches out to us,” adds Mayor Miller. “It’s up to us to make sure we’re there for them, wherever they need us.”  

Macon Family Time is funded through Macon-Bibb County’s Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program and the Community Foundation of Central Georgia. Lead with Literacy received a $40,000 grant to implement this program, which is designed to engage families in meaningful reading and learning activities.   

About the Macon Violence Prevention Program  

More than $800,000 was granted to 25 nonprofit and faith-based organizations to put in place programs and efforts to reduce violent crime; each goal they are trying to meet was made by the nearly 2,000 people through forums and surveys on what our neighborhoods need. Those outcomes are outlined in the MVP Strategic Plan, and the full list of organizations and programs can be found by clicking here. Organizations were selected through an application and review process led by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia.      

“The solution to violent crime in our community will be found in all of us working together on the same team,” explained Mayor Lester Miller. “The fact that more than 50 organizations came to the table with good ideas and applied for MVP grants shows that the people of our community are committed to this historic effort. If we continue to work together, we will create a safer, stronger community now and for future generations.”     

Macon Violence Prevention is an evidence-based, multifaceted program created to address public safety in Macon-Bibb County. Supported and funded by the consolidated government, MVP is a community-wide effort that brings together elected officials, community leaders, agencies, organizations, and departments.     

  The MVP program operates under the guidance of the MVP Strategic Plan, which was created by community stakeholders and violent crime experts. It combines data and research with community feedback to implement proven solutions that reduce violent crime and strengthen the community over time.