Macon Family Time Program: Black History Month Info Session Promotes Literacy & Family Unity

Lead With Literacy’s Macon Family Time program is gearing up for its sixth cohort, and families are invited to learn more at an information session on Monday, February 19, at 5:30 p.m. The session, taking place at the Bloomfield-Gilead Recreation Center, will have a Black History Month theme, featuring a celebration of Black history, a soul food dinner, games, prizes, and an introduction to the 11-week program starting February 26. Attendees will also receive a free book. Registration is required for the session.

Tamika Withers of Lead with Literacy stated, “We created this event to mirror our program as a way to give families a sample of what they would experience during each session. It’s an opportunity to stay connected with our past and present families while recruiting new ones.”

Families interested in the free 11-week program are urged to attend the session to assess the time commitment and register. For those unable to attend, alternative registration methods are available by contacting 478-318-9668, emailing info@leadwithliteracyga.org, or sending a message on Facebook. Classes will occur every Monday from February 26 to May 13, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., at the Bloomfield-Gilead Recreation Center.

Funded for the second year by Macon-Bibb County’s Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program and the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, Macon Family Time received a $50,000 grant to implement the program. Withers highlighted, “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. Building stronger families through literacy is the heart of this program.”

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

The new cohort will meet every Monday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. for 11 weeks beginning February 26. Sessions will feature family dinners, discussions, separate skills classes for adults and youth, hands-on activities, interactive games, and group discussions on relevant family topics. Families will also receive a Book of the Week to enhance their home library.

Mayor Miller reiterated the community’s commitment, stating, “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. It’s up to us to make sure we’re there for them, wherever they need us.”