Macon Violence Prevention partner offering literacy, family bonding classes as part of effort to reduce violence

Georgia’s MACON (41NBC/WMGT) In an effort to improve family ties and lessen violence in Macon-Bibb County, a literacy group is extending an invitation to families to sign up for free weekly sessions.

Registration for the summer cohort of the Macon Family Time program will take place at the Bloomfield Gilead Recreation Center, located at 1931 Rocky Creek Road, on Tuesday, June 24, from 4 to 6 p.m., according to a press release from Macon-Bibb County.

Twelve families are eligible for the program, which is run by Lead With Literacy in collaboration with Macon Violence Prevention (MVP). From July 10 to September 4, weekly classes will take place every Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

According to Mayor Lester Miller, literacy is the foundation for all a child needs to succeed in school and in life. We are grateful to Lead With Literacy for assisting families in enhancing their kids’ skills and strengthening their bonds in the process.

Every week, the lessons start with a family meal and discussion, and then adults and children have separate skill-building sessions. Interactive games, practical exercises, and group discussions centered on real-world issues are all part of the courses.

Additionally, a Book of the Week will be given to families to help them expand their home libraries.

According to Tamika Withers of Lead with Literacy, “Our family coaches work with parents and kids to help them develop happier family relationships, increase shared reading time, improve mental health outcomes, and decrease youth alcohol and drug use, violence, and delinquent behavior.” The main goal of this program is to use literacy to strengthen families.

By encouraging reading and emotional intelligence in the home, the Macon Family Time program contributes to a larger community initiative to lower crime. It promotes regular reading, technology-free mealtimes, and the development of conflict resolution techniques in a nurturing setting.

“It will take years of work, focusing on every child and every family that reaches out to us, to reduce violent crime in our community,” Mayor Miller stated. It is our responsibility to ensure that we are available to them whenever they need us.

The event flyer states that a complimentary ICEE pop will be given to every youngster that visits.