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Ready To Learn Receives GM Grant

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WKAR’s Ready To Learn Service was presented with a $5,000 grant from the General Motors Foundation with the help of GM Lansing Plants.

The gift was accepted by Deb Dunham of WKAR from Greg Pratt, assistant plant manager and Bill Reed, UAW Local 602 president at General Motors’ Delta Township Assembly Plant.

WKAR’s Ready To Learn Service provides parent/child workshops to families throughout mid-Michigan with the focus of helping to prepare children for school and develop a love of reading. As part of WKAR’s education services department, Ready To Learn also presents many families with their first book. Since its creation, Ready To Learn programs have touched more than 80,000 mid-Michigan children.

Programs offered by WKAR Ready To Learn Service are free and available to the public but target high-risk, low-income children, ages 2-8 and their care givers.

“WKAR is committed to helping children and families develop critical skills, using the learning triangle format of viewing an educational program, reading a related book and engaging in a related activity,” says Beany Tomber, WKAR education services coordinator. “Children who enter school ready to learn consistently do better and move ahead academically. Support from our community partners such as the General Motors Foundation helps us do more and reach more families.”

Greg Pratt is assistant plant manager at Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant. “Lansing is not only where our employees come to work each day, it is where our families, friends and neighbors live and we are proud to be part of this welcoming and supportive community,” he says. “We are happy to be able to help support our partners at WKAR who provide services that are essential for Lansing youth.”

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