Get Connected 815 Literacy Lounge presents black authors and a homework club

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Get Connected 815 is opening its Literacy Lounge to area youth to encourage a love of literature and help students with homework.

On Saturday, residents gathered at 312 Irving Avenue to celebrate local Black authors and immerse themselves in the world of reading. The event highlighted several local authors and the highly anticipated release of Frederick Jamerson Jr.'s “If I Was Three.” The 28-year-old author credits his children and mother for his book.

“It's based on the growth spurt of a three-year-old and what they've learned and accomplished by age three,” Jamerson said. “There's a learning curve for children ages three to six and beyond.”

Gracie Hill, a nationally successful author and Rockford resident, has partnered with Get Connected 815 to create a reading and writing lounge for area youth.

“I've worked with Get Connected to set up a reading lounge,” Hill says. “It's an opportunity for the youth to come and read, have someone read to them, and we hope to help them develop a passion and love for reading.”

Hill points out that the Illinois State Board of Education found that less than a third of children in Winnebago County public schools read at a third-grade level.

“When school starts, we offer a homework club. We help the kids with their homework, no matter what the subject is… we really try to build broad support for literacy,” Hill said. “Reading is the foundation of all our learning. You have to be able to read fluently.”

Hill hopes that through the event, children across the region will recognize the importance of literacy and learning and attend the Literacy Lounge on Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m.

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