ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Jasman Nolasco, a member of the REAL program, says how old she is.
BY MICHELE DURGIN
LYNN — Jan Plourde is an enthusiastic educator with a dream to spread the love of reading.
She has spent more than 35 years enhancing literacy in day care programs, at North Shore Community College and in Salem State University.
In 2013, she founded the Reading, Educational, Assistance, Learning program, a nonprofit whose mission is to improve reading and writing.
One of these programs is held this summer at the Washington Street Baptist Church and serves 100 children and some of their parents who are learning English.
The six-week experience includes field trips and art classes, dance and puppet making, centered around communication and literacy skills. Participants are under the guidance of volunteers and high school and college counselors.
Victoria Hackett, 50, a teacher at North Shore Community College, is a program consultant.
“We just planted a community garden filled with tomatoes, peppers and cabbage,” she said. “I loved seeing the kids connect with nature and enjoy the process as we worked in the garden as a team.”
Emma Kane, a sophomore at Ohio University, assists parents teaching English. She said the work is very fulfilling.
“It is wonderful to have a hand in changing someone’s life,” she said. “It is always a big plus when the parents can speak to their children in English.”
Ten-year-old Steven Nolasco, and his five-year-old sister, Jasmine, are experiencing their first summer in the program.
“I have made new friends, and I love to play 4 Square every day,” said Steven. “I am reading books and the mentors are going to help me with two book reports I have to do for school.”
