Lead With Literacy began another cohort of its Macon Family Time program this past week. This new cohort of 13 families is meeting at John R. Lewis Elementary School every Wednesday for 11 weeks from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The Bloomfield-Gilead Recreation Center is also in the midst of a cohort that meets every Monday from 6:00-8:00 p.m.   

“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.”    

“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.”  

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.     

For the second year, Macon Family Time is receiving funds through Macon-Bibb County’s Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program and the Community Foundation of Central Georgia. Lead with Literacy received a $50,000 grant to implement this program. The program is facilitated by highly trained family coaches to strengthen parenting skills and family relationships, promote reading, and foster literacy skills.  

“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.”  

About the Macon Violence Prevention Program  

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 and representatives from more than 20 agencies, organizations, and departments. It has been credited as a central reason the homicide rate dropped by 43% in one year.  

The MVP program operates under the guidance of the MVP Strategic Plan, which was created in June of 2021 by community stakeholders and violent crime experts. The plan combines data and research with community feedback to identify and implement proven solutions that reduce violent crime and strengthen the community over time.  

In its first two years, Macon-Bibb and the Community Foundation of Central Georgia have awarded more than $1.6 million to 56 local nonprofit organizations that have identified proven or innovative solutions to reducing violent crime.  

“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 so many people have stepped forward shows that our community is committed to this historic effort. If we continue to work together, we will create a safer, stronger community now and for future generations.”