Village Readers Family Education

The Village Readers Family Education Program provides literacy instruction for adults and their elementary school age children in Delray Beach. The adults who attend classes in the evening develop literacy skills to prepare them for further education and enhanced employment possibilities. The children receive individualized reading instruction and participate in reading enrichment activities in the afternoon. There is a children’s program with educational activities in the evening during the hours that their parents attend class.

In 2011 – 2012:

  • 135 adults and 58 children were served in the evening program.
  • 28 children received afternoon tutoring in reading and comprehension skills. 86 percent of these children made significant improvement in reading.
  • 83 percent of the adult students demonstrated learning gains in literacy skills including reading, listening and speaking.

PROGRAM IMPACT

Marie Kettlie Seme first enrolled in the Village Readers Family Education Program in 2000. When she began, she did not know a word of English. Over the years, she has been promoted through the class levels of Village Readers and is currently in the most advanced class. With a lot of hard work, Miss Kettlie now works at Broken Sound Country Club in Boca Raton, as an aide to the elderly and as housekeeper. She is grateful that she is now able to communicate better with her co-workers, supervisors and clients at work. However, she is most thankful that she has been able to build a better relationship with her family. She can understand and communicate with her children in English. She can be a part of their academic activities because she can speak with their teachers and coaches.

Kettlie’s hard work at school sets a great example for her children. Her eldest daughter is currently a senior at Florida Atlantic University and is working towards a degree in nursing. She wants to continue her education to earn a doctorate degree in pediatric medicine. When Kettlie first enrolled in the Village Readers Family Education program, her son received one-to-one reading tutoring. He is now in ninth grade with a very solid foundation to be successful in high school. With her youngest child in kindergarten at Village Academy, Kettlie is excited that her daughter is also receiving tutoring through the Village Readers program. The afternoon tutoring provides a chance for her to improve her reading and comprehension skills.

Kettlie plans to continue her education with the goal of passing her GED and ultimately becoming a nurse. Kettlie expressed, “The Village Readers’ staff has endless patience and has created a safe environment for me to learn. That’s why I keep coming to school, even after a long day at work and taking care of my family.”

 

Address: 400 SW 12th Avenvue, Delray Beach, FL 33444
Classes are held Monday through Thursday, from 5:45 pm to 8:00 pm year round.