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Making It Better, a non-profit organization founded by Councilman Jerry Davis, is designed to improve literacy for children in low-income families. Read how your property can benefit from its program. By
JACQUE DAUGHTRY, Making it Better
Photos supplied by Making It Better
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id you know one in four Houstonarea third graders do not meet minimum STAAR reading standards, which leaves them at great risk for high school dropout and even incarceration? Did you also know children living in poverty have heard 30 million less words by age 3 than their more affluent peers? Or, that there is only one book available for every 300 children living in low-income homes? Unfortunately, illiteracy is a huge problem in the City of Houston, especially for children living in poverty. Why? These children simply do not experience many of the daily interactions needed to develop oral language skills, a rich vocabulary and other pre-reading skills. When their parents work multiple jobs to put food on the table and keep the electricity on, there is little time or energy for such things as reading with their children or helping with homework. All parents want the best for their children, but when the parents themselves are under-educated and/or lack literacy skills many parents do not feel equipped to help nor do they understand their role as their child’s first and most important teacher. Not only do these children lack the resources and support in their homes, many also lack enriching experiences outside the home, such as visiting a children’s museum, going to the library, traveling (even within the city) and access to quality preschools. Is there hope for these children? Making It Better knows there is, and we have helped to level the playing field for undeserved young students for 10 years. Making It Better is a non-profit organization that improves literacy, leadership and life skills for underserved elementary students. The organization was founded in 2006 by Jerry Davis, who currently serves District B on Houston City Council, to address the severe disadvantages faced by low-income children in Houston. It offers solutions to the literacy crisis through several avenues that develop the whole child academically, socially and emotionally: interventions to improve students’ reading ability by the end of third
www.haaonline.org
grade; opportunities for increased parent education and involvement; books through lending libraries and gifts of new books to start/build home libraries; and positive role models through relationships with mentors and staff members. Making It Better offers programs during the school day and after school at nine Houston Independent School Districts campuses and even at apartment communities. They provide small-group reading interventions and after school programs that focus on building skills for future success, as well as a mentoring program, reading readiness program for toddlers and family outreach events promoting literacy development. At inception, Making It Better served 91 students at Walnut Bend Elementary and now serves over 1,000 students each year. In addition, the goal is to serve 1,200 plus students and 200 plus parents during the 2016-17 school year. Over the years, Making It Better has helped create great successes for low-income children by staying aligned with its core values – relationships built on trust; respect and commitment; partnerships with parents, schools, other non-profits and community members; and access to high-quality programs that develop the whole child. Students, parents and schools served by Making It Better have great things to say about the organization and how it has helped change lives. “Before coming to Making It Better, I was not a great student and had 70s on my report card. Now, thanks to Making It Better, I have A’s and B’s and I passed my STAAR test this year,” a former student said. “Making It Better has given my son the confidence he needs to step outside his comfort zone and try new things. He recognizes his self-worth, he is more confident and has been a great influence on his younger brother, who recently joined the program. Making It Better is not just about making it better, but it builds better students and prepares them for whatever life might throw their way! Making It Better rocks,” a parent said. “We have been so impressed with the educa-
tors’ professionalism punctuality, knowledgebase and positive energy. Every lesson is action-packed, full of dialogue, engaging and meaningful. Pure joy exudes from every struggling reader as they make strides in their literacy development. It’s quite the safe-zone for any child who needs special accommodations,” Principal of Piney Point Elementary Bobbie Swaby said. Have you been looking for an organization to partner with that supports the community? Over the past 10 years, Making It Better has been significantly impacted by the nearly $5 million from 2,200 donors, which has allowed them to serve 10,000 young students in 13 Houston ISD schools and 12 apartment properties. There is still much to be done and the need is tremendous for organizations like Making It Better that are addressing critical needs in our community. In order for these organizations to continue serving Houston children and families, they need you. Whether you are looking to make a financial contribution, become a volunteer or establish a partnership, Making It Better can be just the place for you to make a difference in your community. Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the school year, including one-time opportunities and weekly commitments in various programs. Jacque Daughtry received a bachelor’s degree in business, with an emphasis in personnel management, from the University of Houston and has 25 years of experience in accounting and business management in the for-profit sector. Jacque helped launch Making It Better and considers it an honor and privilege to serve the organization’s students, their dedicated staff and board of directors, and their Houston ISD partner schools. Jacque may be contacted at jdaughtry@mibtx.org. For more information about Making It Better, visit their website at www.mibtx.org. Text MIBTX to 41444 to make a donation.
March 2017
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