Center for Sound Literacy

Breaking through barriers for brighter futures

Closing the literacy achievement gap for students living in under-served communities.

Over 9 Years
of providing various literacy supports to schools in Grand Rapids
Assisted Grand Rapids Schools
in achieving 37% proficiency in 3^rd grade reading on the MSTEP from single digit proficiency in the previous years
Increased Student Reading Proficiency
on average by 2 grade levels during the 2020 pandemic

ABOUT US

The Center for Sound Literacy Foundation’s mission is to impact the future lives of urban elementary students through the power of literacy achievement. The Foundation assists students in accomplishing literacy proficiency by utilizing individualized literacy supports that are designed to meet students where they are academically, push them to their reading achievement potential, allow them to see themselves as successful readers, and ultimately open doors for future opportunities in life.

FOUNDATION HISTORY

The Foundation’s founders are John and Nancy Kennedy, philanthropists and literacy activists in the Grand Rapids community. After John’s work on the State of Michigan’s Third Grade Reading Commission, John and Nancy felt called to implement some of what was learned through his involvement on the Commission into Grand Rapids urban schools. The Kennedys contacted the Grand Rapids Public Schools’ (GRPS) superintendent and voiced their desire to help elementary struggling readers within GRPS.

In 2015, the Foundation developed a partnership with Grand Valley State University Charter Schools Office and collectively created a plan to assist elementary GRPS students. From that point, a 6-year partnership with Grand Rapids Public Schools was established and the Foundation provided various literacy supports to schools within GRPS. Since then, the Foundation has established a partnership with William C. Abney Academy to expand supports to more students within the Grand Rapids area. The Foundation looks forward to partnering with other schools across Michigan to eradicate childhood illiteracy, specifically in high-needs communities.

Partnering Schools

William C. Abney Schools

Grand Rapids Public Schools

Gerald Dawkins Academy

Testimonials

Here at William C. Abney Academy, we are committed to inspiring our scholars to be self-motivated, life-long learners. We couldn’t be more fortunate to have partnered with a foundation who shares in this commitment. The Center for Sound Literacy Foundation’s passion for providing a positive, academically rigorous environment has made such an impact on our school. Through our diligent collaboration we are able to set data-driven goals and produce credible, accurate results. Their work ethic, displaying the upmost professionalism and “can-do” attitude, makes every day a pleasure to work alongside them.

Paul AdamsPaul Adams, Principal at William C. Abney Academy

Teaching for the Center for Sound Literacy Foundation has been an amazing experience! For over 30 years, I taught at a local public school with a classroom full of different student needs. Now as a teacher with the Foundation, I work with small groups of students, allowing me to be highly diagnostic with each student. I am able to meet students at their individual levels and support them to reach their highest potential. I am very thankful for this opportunity!

Lisa BurkleLisa Burkle, Intensive Literacy Instructor at Center for Sound Literacy

“Literacy is inseparable from opportunity, and opportunity is inseparable from freedom. The freedom promised by literacy is both freedom from – from ignorance, oppression, poverty, and freedom to – to do new things, to make choices, to learn.”

– Koichiro Matsuura

MAKE AN IMPACT