Jackson District Library
Locations at the JDL

Early Literacy Alliance


The Jackson County Early Literacy Alliance is a collaborative group of passionate advocates for our youngest learners that recognize the critical role literacy plays in shaping futures. The JCELA is focused on building a community where everyone has access to the tools, resources, and supports needed to increase literacy. JCELA's founding organizations include the Jackson District Library, Jackson Community Foundation, Jackson County ISD, Great Start Collaborative, and the Jackson Collaborative Network.

The Jackson County Early Childhood Literacy Alliance is a group of community volunteers, educators, families, and donors who believe that by working together we can positively influence Jackson’s early childhood reading outcomes. The Alliance was formed in 2023 and 2024 with the support of the Jackson Community Foundation, The Jackson County Intermediate School District, The Great Start Collaborative, the Jackson Collaborative Network, and community donors.

These representatives understand the importance of building a culture of education in our community and wish to provide a forum, in the spirit of collective impact, where opportunities and challenges are shared, together with an understanding of resources and tools to support and inspire even our newest families in their children’s reading journeys.

While, over the years, there have been a number of either grant-funded or donor-funded literacy-based programs in Jackson County, the continuity of these individual initiatives has never been assured. In response, the JCELA seeks to build a sustainable organization as a backbone for various efforts throughout Jackson County. The Alliance welcomes additional ideas, volunteers, voices and contributors to our efforts.

Michigan as a state is focusing on increasing the early literacy skills of our students. Research shows that if students are not proficient in reading by third grade, their chances of becoming proficient are minimal.

Early childhood education can help improve reading-by-third-grade outcomes. The years leading up to kindergarten are when children learn the fastest and acquire the foundational skills that will support their development and learning for the rest of their lives. Improving language and literacy experiences in the infant and toddler years has the potential to improve each child’s chances of becoming a proficient reader.

What does this look like in Jackson County? The tables below outline the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 results on 4th grade English Language Arts proficiency for Jackson County School Districts.



RESOURCES

National Assessment of Educational Progress
- Profiles (nationsreportcard.gov)
- The Nation's Report Card: 2022 Reading Snapshot Report: Michigan Grade 4 (ed.gov)

MI School Data
- Report Builder (mischooldata.org)
- MAISA - Literacy Essentials (gomaisa.org)

Michigan Department of Education - Literacy
- Literacy (michigan.gov)

JCELA reached out to others in the community about ways they currently support literacy. Our three biggest themes were: Showing the importance of reading to children, community events and initiatives, and helping families.

Want to get involved in increasing our community’s literacy? Take a look at the suggestions given by our recent JCELA Community Event Attendees.

Donate your time

  • “Adopt-a-classroom" through reading
  • Start or join a youths mentoring other youths program
  • Join Big Brothers/Big Sisters and take on mentoring a little
  • Attend or start an after-school literacy club
  • Volunteer to read at local daycares
  • Create or join a Grandparent/Grandchild club where books, stories, and activities are shared.
  • Join or start a tutoring time at your Church
  • Help someone practice their literacy by being a pen pal
  • Attend or volunteer at a playgroup
  • Volunteer with English language learners

Donate assets to help with access to books

  • Fundraise to purchase books for schools or other community organizations
  • Donate to Little Free Libraries
  • Create a new little library in your neighborhood
  • Trade in or donate Jackson Reads books
  • Donate a bookshelf to a family in need

Have expertise in literacy? Donate your experience

  • Speaking to others and groups about the importance of literacy
  • Prepare or publish booklets for new mothers and fathers about literacy
  • Educate to be parents on early literacy
  • Promoting the great literacy base things you and others around you do
  • Get information about literacy into public spaces (laundry mats, bus stations, coffee shops, etc.)

Help us integrate literacy and the importance of reading into all aspects of our community

  • Create or attend community read-ins
  • Read at home and make it a regular moment with your family
  • Join or start a book club
  • Create a platform for local authors
  • Make time at school and at home for social hours
  • Incorporate reading and literacy into business (doctors’ offices, banks, restaurants, etc.)

Looking for Volunteer Opportunities? Our attendees also identified these resources as being their go-tos when finding ways to help out

  • City Facebook Page
  • Experience Jackson website
  • Jackson Community Foundation
  • Schools
  • Ella Sharp Website
  • Jackson Interfaith Shelter
  • Chamber of Commerce
  • Friends and Family
  • Facebook
  • Community Boards
  • Literacy Volunteers of America
  • Church
  • Local organizations
  • College
  • Google Search
  • Nonprofit Support Network

Email JCELA to add your name to our volunteer pool and indicate your level of involvement. Those interested can also donate by going to the Jackson Community Foundation’s page to make a donation to the Jackson County Early Literacy Fund.