Every three years, a new local cause gets a big boost. The
Junior League of Lansing (JLL) chooses an organization that improves the lives of women and children in the greater Lansing area and partners with them for three years to provide both financial and volunteer support. As it’s ending one cycle with Care Free Dental, JLL has announced the
Capital Area Literacy Coalition (CALC) will be the group’s next Signature Project.
“We have a three year process to determine Signature Project,” says Kate Powers, current President of Junior League of Lansing. “CALC went through the entire project and our membership worked really hard, asking questions and getting answers as to what would best fit for the needs of the community.”
By being chosen as the JLL’s Signature Project, CALC will receive $10,000 a year over the next 3 years to expand their Growing Readers Program. This program addresses birth to 5-year-old literacy by working with parents to improve their literacy skills. As an organization dedicated to supporting women and children, this program particularly appealed to the JLL.
“We’ll be working not just with children, but with their parents,” says Powers. “That is probably the piece that stood out the most to me. If you can’t read or you can’t read well, you can’t get a job … and safety is also a concern.”
In addition to the funding, JLL members will also have volunteer opportunities with CALC, including tutoring parents and children, assembling guides for reading packets and providing administrative assistance.
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