JEMS Progressive Community Organization has launched a weekly reading program for young children with the start-up of a pilot program in Brighton. Called “Village Story Time”, the group meets from 4:30 – 5 p.m. on Tuesdays at Mrs. Sayers Shop in Brighton. The next session will be held on Tuesday, March 2.{{more}}

Led by U.S. Peace Corps volunteers Ann Crytser and Ericha Sappington, and members of JEMS, the program is geared to children between the ages of four and seven, and their parents. The session includes entertaining stories for children, and tips for parents on how to help their children learn to read.

“The purpose of the program,” says JEMS President Andrew Simmons, “is to help inspire an enjoyment of reading at an early age, and to re-enforce basic skills learned in the classroom. Too many young people are arriving at secondary schools with limited literacy skills, seriously handicapping their performance in all areas of study. The JEMS program seeks to motivate young children to embrace learning at an early age, so as to reach secondary school better prepared for advanced learning.”

In announcing the program, Simmons noted that the weekly Brighton activity is the first of multiple village reading groups to be sponsored by JEMS. A second group will be offered at the JEMS headquarters building in Enhams beginning in mid-March. For more information, call Ann Crytser at 533-0412.