In ‘Mission Possible,’ community leaders read to Youngstown students

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

School and community leaders will read to city school students today as part of the Youngstown Afterschool Alliance’s “Mission Possible: Dare to Read – Community Reading Day.”

Stephen Stohla, interim city schools superintendent; the Rev. Christopher McKee Jr. of Tabernacle Baptist Church; Mayor John McNally; and Ernie Brown, Vindicator regional editor, are among the readers.

Readings will be with student groups at each program site from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. today followed by a reception. Students who met last month’s reading challenge will be honored at the reception.

To earn the honor, students had to read at least four books and articles, write a review of each and discuss with an adult.

The alliance is a collaboration of the city school district, United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley and other community partners. It began more than 11 years ago and is funded through the 21st Century Learning Center grants from the U.S. Department of Education, the city Community Development Block Grants and other local funding sources.

Community funders support the afterschool programs and partners who help provide children with healthful snacks, homework assistance, mentoring, tutoring, college and career awareness, service learning and youth development activities.

This year, the alliance served 460 students and families at the Chaney Visual Performing Arts/Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Academy; Discovery Career Connections at Volney, East High School; and Harding, Martin Luther King, William Holmes McGuffey, Wilson and Williamson elementary schools.