1. Madison Parish Reading to the Heart Literacy Enrichment Program A CYFAR Sustainable Communities Grant and Junior Leadership Service-Learning Project

2. Reading to the Heart The Reading to the HEART program is a literacy-based enrichment program designed to increase motivation and proficiency among Madison Parish youth. Our purpose is to enhance literacy and communication skills of youth in the areas of reading, writing, and speaking, and to improve family reading habits and literacy knowledge base by helping to create literacy-rich home environments. High context group: 4 th graders and parents. Low context group: Pre-K – 12, parents and families in Madison Parish.

3. 3 Program Components The Reading to the HEART program consists of three components: –Parent involvement –Community collaboration –In-school and after-school reading enrichment programs for youth.

4. Family Involvement Special family night programs offer opportunities for parents and youth to explore the world of reading together. Collaboration with school-based parent centers to sponsor interactive workshops with moms, dads and grandparents provide caregivers with knowledge and skills to enhance literacy education in the home.

5. Community Partnerships Community partners join together to serve on the Madison Parish Literacy Council to discuss and evaluate program planning. Partners participate in professional development opportunities to bring research- based literacy strategies to educators, parents and the community

6. Student Participation Youth participants are encouraged to read and write at home for at least 20 minutes daily, especially during monthly reading challenges sponsored through 4-H Club. Students receive additional resources, books and teaching tools to motivate reading at home.

7. 4-H Club Member Participation 4-H club members in 4 th grade participate in monthly literacy education programs linked to the Discovering 4-H project book, including: –Reader’s Theatre –Hands-on activities –Book Reports Students are urged to keep reading logs and journals, and will receive books and tools to assist them on their reading adventures.

8. Junior Leadership Participation Teen mentors are recruited and trained to provide after school tutoring under the direction of LSU AgCenter staff and teachers supervising after-school tutorials. Received additional grant for Teen Trendsetters Reading Mentors through Volunteer USA which provides the curriculum, teaching tools and free books for mentors/mentees.