What does it take to inspire a new generation of readers? For local literacy non-profit Read To Succeed, the effort begins at a young age, with programs that target toddlers, pre-K students, and their parents and grandparents.

Since 2003, Read To Succeed has connected MTSU education classes and community volunteers with families at Section 8 housing in Rutherford County as well as city and county schools to focus on literacy. Read To Succeed Executive Director Lisa Mitchell says that as our community continues to grow, focusing on family literacy becomes more and more important.

“Inter-generational illiteracy and poverty cannot be broken until the family as a whole begins to learn and realize the importance of education,” Mitchell says. “Many programs focus on just the adult or just the child. The value of Read To Succeed’s family literacy programs is its focus on the family as a whole.”

Each semester, Read To Succeed works with professors in MTSU’s education department to serve several in-need, local schools. In the past year alone, Read To Succeed has held programs at Mitchell Neilson Primary, Bradley Academy, Hobgood Elementary, John Coleman Elementary, Smyrna Primary, La Vergne Primary, Black Fox Elementary, and Buchanan Elementary, along with hosting monthly Imagination Stations for parents and their children who haven’t yet entered pre-school at Franklin Heights and Spring Valley in Murfreesboro. These programs provide reading time and supervised literacy activities for families, with MTSU education students or community volunteers creating and leading fun art, music, and literacy activities related to a carefully chosen book.

The goal of these programs is to foster the enjoyment of reading in Rutherford County families. The programs help parents feel more confident in sharing books with their children, model "active reading" for parents, and create a venue for family members to enjoy quality time together.

Parents are offered entrance into Read To Succeed’s one-on-one adult tutoring program or ESL classes throughout the county if they want to continue to progress their own literacy skills. Read To Succeed provides a meal for each participant and every family goes home with a new book, to keep, every week.

Murfreesboro’s Newk’s has donated several meals over the past two years. Newk’s local Marketing and Catering Director Mollie Ann Trollinger says that the restaurant gladly supports Read To Succeed’s mission of enhancing education in Rutherford County.

"It’s important to understand,” Trollinger says, “how literacy affects many aspects of one's life, including education and health.”

Several education professors work with their classes for weeks to prepare curriculum for families participating in Read To Succeed’s programs. And though the main goal is to serve these families, it benefits the MTSU students, as well.

“There is no better learning than active, hands-on service learning,” says Terri Tharp, an elementary and education professor who has worked with Read To Succeed for years. “The pre-service teachers' experiences with Read to Succeed and the local schools is service learning at its best. They are able to interact with the children, family members, school personnel, and Read to Succeed staff to advocate the importance of literacy. One of the best lessons that they learn is the importance of a strong home-school-community connection, and that they can be a part of the solution to address the literacy needs of our community.”

These professors—who’ve dedicated their careers to figuring out how to best educate our community’s children—help Read To Succeed improve its programs each semester.

Professor of Reading Education Joan Boulware says that Read To Succeed’s literacy initiative is the best she’s been involved in through her 30 years as an educator.

“Last year alone,” Boulware says, “seventy of my education students worked with underserved children and their families as a part of Families That Read, Succeed sponsored by Read to Succeed.”

Over the past nine years, Read To Succeed’s programs have evolved into a community-wide endeavor: each semester, hundreds of MTSU students work to help these families, countless volunteers show up to serve food and pass out books, funders like the Predators Foundation, Charity Circle, the Dollar General Foundation and Nissan Foundation generously support Read To Succeed’s programs, and local restaurants donate food and staff time. It is, truly, a group effort, and it’s an effort that keeps on growing.

Murfreesboro, TN - Holidays are a particularly stressful time of year for many of the families served by the Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, said Executive Director Sharon De Boer.

“Many families are struggling financially and cannot afford to provide Christmas gifts for their children,” De Boer said.

One of the mothers reached out for help this holiday season and said to Family Services Coordinator Jennifer Gamble, “I have been so stressed out about Christmas this year.  My kids made their Santa lists and brought them to me.  I did not think they would have a Christmas this year.”

Gamble matched the family with a church that is helping them this holiday season.

There are many more families that need help this holiday season.  There are four ways that individuals, churches, businesses, and civic groups can get involved during the holidays:

• Sponsor a family with holiday gifts for the children and grocery store gift certificates.
• Sponsor a family with a Wal-Mart or grocery store gift certificates.
• Sponsor the Child Advocacy Center through a special holiday donation.
• Sponsor the Center and provide items that are needed, such as blank DVD’s, easel board paper, markers, juice boxes, bottled water, caffeine-free cokes, and individually wrapped snacks.

Rev. Kristina Brown of First Baptist Church said the members sponsor Child Advocacy Center families.

“First Baptist Church sponsors families each Christmas through the Child Advocacy Center because we feel the CAC does an outstanding job of caring for the children affected by abuse as well as for their families,” Rev. Brown said. “We are so impressed with the level of confidentiality and have complete trust in the staff at the Child Advocacy Center.”

It is not too late to be a Secret Santa and make a child’s Christmas wishes come true this year.

If you would like to sponsor a needy family this holiday season, please contact Gamble at the Rutherford County Child Advocacy Center at 867-9000 or Susan Lankheet at the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center at 563-9915.

For this year’s MTSU Family Weekend Oct. 28-29, participants can “mix and match their favorite events to make their own personalized experience,” said Mark Murphy, interim coordinator of the University’s New Student and Family Programs.

Family Weekend will kick off Friday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. with the 2010 Sun Belt Conference volleyball champion Blue Raiders facing North Texas in Alumni Memorial Gym. Family Weekend will end Saturday, Oct. 29, with a 7:30 p.m. presentation of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” in the Boutwell Dramatic Arts Building’s Tucker Theatre.

In between, there will be plenty of food, including tailgating and an all-you-can-eat Cajun feast, and fun leading up to the 6:30 p.m. Sun Belt football matchup between MTSU and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns in Floyd Stadium.

Parents and families are encouraged to visit their students and participate in the various campus events and activities throughout the weekend, Murphy said.

A full list of activities can be found at bit.ly/MTFamilyWeekend2011. While on campus, parents also may join the Parent and Family Association, organizers said.

For more information, visit the website, call 615-898-2454 or 800-537-2405 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Gina Poff is director of New Student and Family Programs.

– Randy Weiler ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Who can be a host family?

• If you can provide the time to build a relationship with a curious and dedicated student...

• If you want to see our city and culture from a fresh perspective...

• If you have space for a student in your home...

• Working parents

• Single parents

• Families with young children

• Families with grown children

• Families with no children

• Families with adopted children
  
  

What does a host family look like?

Of course, there are a few logistical requirements – like getting your student to our center, and furnishing the bedroom. Please call me at 615.898.5212 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to discuss any questions you have.

When grandmother of three and Murfreesboro resident Phyllis Davenport was not able to purchase a holiday tree this year, Target and United Way teamed up to provide her family with a decorated tree just in time for the season.

The donation came through Target’s Share-A-Tree program. From December 18-22, Target stores across the country will celebrate the season of giving by donating 2,678 decorated holiday trees to United Way.

United Way volunteers will distribute the trees—worth an estimated $500,000—to families in need and partners such as shelters, community centers and childcare programs. This is the 20th consecutive year for the holiday partnership.

When grandmother of three and Murfreesboro resident Phyllis Davenport was not able to purchase a holiday tree this year, Target and United Way teamed up to provide her family with a decorated tree just in time for the season.

The donation came through Target’s Share-A-Tree program. From December 18-22, Target stores across the country will celebrate the season of giving by donating 2,678 decorated holiday trees to United Way.

United Way volunteers will distribute the trees—worth an estimated $500,000—to families in need and partners such as shelters, community centers and childcare programs. This is the 20th consecutive year for the holiday partnership.

The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties was able to deliver four of the trees to local families in need to make their holiday season a little brighter.

Davenport said that she was very excited, “mostly because my grandchildren were so excited I got it.” Davenport noted that since they did not have a tree, receiving the donation from Target would “help to make this Christmas special.”

As further demonstration of Target’s commitment to partnering with United Way to create opportunities for a better life for all people, Target and its Team Members pledged more than $14.3 million nationally through their 2010 United Way workplace giving campaign.

“The holiday season is about sharing with others, especially those in need,” said President of Target Community Relations and Target Foundation Laysha Ward. “With our partners at United Way, Target is honored to continue the tradition of sharing our holiday trees with families across the country.”

The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties was able to deliver four of the trees to local families in need to make their holiday season a little brighter.

Davenport said that she was very excited, “mostly because my grandchildren were so excited I got it.” Davenport noted that since they did not have a tree, receiving the donation from Target would “help to make this Christmas special.”

As further demonstration of Target’s commitment to partnering with United Way to create opportunities for a better life for all people, Target and its Team Members pledged more than $14.3 million nationally through their 2010 United Way workplace giving campaign.

“The holiday season is about sharing with others, especially those in need,” said President of Target Community Relations and Target Foundation Laysha Ward. “With our partners at United Way, Target is honored to continue the tradition of sharing our holiday trees with families across the country.”

Video games are a past time enjoyed by a fair amount of young people these days, and as the holiday approaches parents and significant others realize what an expensive past time video games can be. Have no fear! With the popularity of video games, many stores around Murfreesboro now offer a great selection of used video games that will satisfy the gamer without breaking your wallet.

Below are some games to be on the lookout for when checking the used section.

Games for Wii

Games For Xbox 360

Games for Playstation 3

Places around Murfreesboro to find used Video Games:

Play n’ Trade:

427 N. Thompson Lane
(615) 890-4263

GameStop:

1. 1720 Old Fort Parkway
(615) 849-4039

2. 1970 Old Fort Parkway
(615) 867- 6767

3. 2866 S. Rutherford
(615) 904-8660

WASHINGTON - Families who adopt children will be able to take advantage of a newly expanded tax credit for the 2010 tax year, Congressman Bart Gordon announced this week.

Gordon, a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, praised the IRS’ announcement that the maximum adoption credit will increase to $13,170 per child this year. The expanded credit follows on a measure included in the Affordable Care Act, which passed this spring with Gordon’s support.

“I’ve heard from so many Middle Tennessee families over the years who have provided loving homes to adopted children, both international and American-born. ” Gordon said. “The least we can do for these families is help ease the financial burden of the adoption process.”

The new credit is designed to help offset the expenses accumulated throughout the adoption process, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees and travel expenses. The policy not only increases the maximum amount of the tax credit, but also makes the credit refundable. Eligible low-income taxpayers who owe no tax for that year can take advantage of the tax credit and have it included in their refund.

Earlier this year, the House passed The International Adoption Harmonization Act to cut down on red tape in certain areas of the adoption process. The bill reduces certain vaccination documentation requirements and simplifies the legal immigration process for children adopted at an older age. Adoptions of international teenagers are not as common as adoptions of young children, but equally important, often arising from special circumstances such as when a family wishes to reunite a group of siblings.

“When a child in need finds a home with deserving parents, it’s a blessing both for the child and for the new family,” Gordon said. “Bureaucratic headaches should never stand in the way. The more procedural steps we can streamline, the better.”

Gordon has worked throughout his time in Congress to make the adoption process easier for deserving parents. In 1994, Gordon travelled to Romania, where he visited children in the country’s orphanages and met with Romanian officials in the wake of reports of inhumane conditions and restrictive regulations that prevented children from being adopted.

“In my travels in Romania, I saw haunting images of physical and emotional neglect in the country’s orphanages. Many international families wanted to adopt these children, but cumbersome adoption laws stood in the way,” Gordon said.

Gordon’s visits and leverage in Congress ultimately led Romania to ease restrictions on Americans wanting to adopt Romanian children. In 1997, Gordon also co-sponsored legislation to help foster children find their way into permanent adoption, which led to a steep increase in the number of adoptions from foster care.

MURFREESBORO TN - Family Weekend will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22-23, during MTSU’s homecoming festivities, officials in the Office of New Student and Family Programs said.Since Family Weekend will be held in conjunction with homecoming, attendees should consult the homecoming schedule of events. Go to www.mtalumni.com and click on the “Homecoming 2010 Bright Lights, Blue City!” icon at the top of the home page.

Students can buy discounted tickets for family members and friends for the Saturday, Oct. 23, homecoming game against Louisiana-Monroe, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m.

For ticket information, call 615-898-2103 or visit www.goblueraiders.com.For questions about Family Weekend or MTSU’s Parent and Family Association, call 615-898-2454 or visit www.mtsu.edu/nsfp.

MURFREESBORO, TN - Congressman Bart Gordon announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a $225,000 federal grant for Head Start education services in Middle Tennessee.

Each year, Head Start programs serve more than 19,000 children throughout Tennessee, providing them with a firm foundation to excel in school, said Gordon. The Head Start staff who work with these children do an enormous service, and they deserve all the professional support we can give them.

The Department of Health and Human Services awarded a $225,000 grant to the Mid Cumberland Community Action Agency, which operates Head Start classrooms across Middle Tennessee, including in Rutherford County. The program works with 930 toddlers and preschool children.

The grant will allow the program to bring in professional mentors to support teachers working in high-risk classrooms where a high number of children exhibit challenging behaviors.

These discretionary funds will allow us to provide intensive mentor coaching support in 10 selected classrooms, strengthen the existing mentoring system, and train and certify key staff to provide mentoring support in the remaining Mid Cumberland Head Start/Early Head classrooms, Head Start Director Janet Ogles said.Our program has always been firmly committed to increasing the professional development of its staff, and we are thrilled that these funds will support our efforts in doing so.

Head Start was established in 1965 to promote school readiness and provide a comprehensive array of health, nutritional and social services to economically disadvantaged children and families, with a special focus on enhancing preschool development. The program engages parents in their children's learning, and also helps parents make progress toward their own educational, literacy and employment goals.

Research confirms that the benefits of healthy father-daughter bonds result in decreased rates of promiscuity, substance abuse, dropping out of high school, image obsession, depression and even suicide.

To strengthen communication and enhance time spent together between daughters and their dads, the National Center for Fathering has pulled together the finest resources to provide a day where fathers and teen/adult daughters can confirm, celebrate, and in some cases initiate their bond. We call this day the Father-Daughter Summit. Our fourth Nashville Father-Daughter Summit will be held Saturday, September 11^th at Hendersonville Church of Christ, where it is anticipated 500 fathers and daughters will participate.

“Daughters and dads are often surprised how meaningful this day is together and the progress they make at the Summit. Once they come, they want to come again! This is actually why we are returning to Nashville. Our local chairman, Brian Stanley, attended our first Nashville Father-Daughter Summit at Lipscomb University in 2006. He and his daughter wanted to return, so he called to find out when our next Nashville date was. When I shared that we needed a local chairman to lead the way, Brian signed on to chair the event for the city!” shared Lucy Bloom, Director of the Father-Daughter Summit.

Titans Assistant Head Coach Craig Johnson served as the host and emcee for the kick-off luncheon where fifty leaders representing churches, schools, local businesses and community organizations gathered to meet with Carey Casey, CEO of the National Center for Fathering about the upcoming Summit.

The Summit will be held at Hendersonville Church of Christ on September 11 from 9:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. The minimum age for daughters is 11 years old. Pre-registration is encouraged and available at www.fathers.com/summit.

The Nashville Father-Daughter Summit is being sponsored by The Memorial Foundation and Solomon Builders.