LYNN — A program supporting literacy for students at Brickett Elementary School is celebrating its 10-year anniversary.
The Reading and Educational Assistance for Learning Program assists more than 20 students at a time who take part in REAL programming twice a week.
In a celebration at the REAL Program’s Payne Family Literacy House, Mayor Jared Nicholson presented the REAL Program with a citation from the city to celebrate 10 years of collaboration between REAL and Lynn Public Schools, which refers students to the program.
“We are up against a lot in trying to reach the goals that we all have for our community, for our youth, for our future,” Nicholson said. “Because we’re dealing with so much inside and outside the classrooms, it takes these kinds of collaborations.”
Nicholson also praised the leadership of the program’s executive director, Jan Plourde, as well as the rest of the REAL team in his remarks.
“I’m always struck by the REAL team’s ability to pull those folks together that are actually ready to roll up their sleeves and put in the kind of long-term commitment that you need to be able to have a moment like this and celebrate 10 years,” Nicholson said.
The volunteer-led program, which operates out of a converted Victorian home on Atlantic Street, offers children, mostly of elementary-school age, ESL classes, homework and reading help, and extracurricular activities like arts and crafts.
Volunteer Mentor Betsy Brown has worked at the REAL Program since its inception and said that volunteers play an important role in assisting non-English-speaking parents in helping their children with homework.
“None of our kids go home to English-speaking houses… so things like their homework can be very difficult for them,” Brown said.
Brown noted that volunteers build close connections with their students, many of whom return to the program after aging out of it to volunteer or intern.
“It’s important that people feel welcome here,” Brown said. “It’s like an extended family.”
State Sen. Brendan Crighton was also present at the event and presented the program with a citation from the Massachusetts Senate on behalf of Lynn’s state delegation.
“Thank you to your team and the many organizations that support REAL,” Crighton said. “We look forward to another wonderful 10 years, and many more after that.”
Michelle La Poetica, a local community activist who has a son involved in the program, also spoke at the event and praised what REAL has done not only for her son’s learning, but for her in times of need.
“It’s a blessing and a privilege to have people you can call family that are not bound to you by blood,” La Poetica, a single mother, said. “That’s what the REAL Program is.”
La Poetica also stressed how important it is to make resources available for programs similar to REAL that families can take advantage of.
“I can tell you that I am blessed to have this program here. Every child that comes to this program is blessed to be a part of it and it shows,” she said.
Community leaders at the event included Ward 3 City Councilor Coco Alinsug and Crighton’s chief of staff, Sean Reid, who is running for School Committee.
The REAL Program’s honorary chair, Frances Martinez, also spoke about the impact of the program and thanked the hard work of the volunteers.
“I really believe in this program, I will support it now and forever,” Martinez said. “Working with children and giving them love, that will make a difference.”
