Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1302793
Julie Groce "It is no secret that Macon is fundamentally challenged by poverty and racial inequality, and improving children's literacy is one tool for bringing about positive change," said Julie Groce, the missioner of Appleton Episcopal Ministries and the executive director of Freedom School. It is through her position in Freedom School that Groce makes a positive impact in Macon. She and Freedom School volunteers focus specifically on increasing reading scores in first through third. In addition to instruction, the school provides its students with food, transportation and extracurricular enrichment, all of which have produced great success. "Based upon 2019 site testing, 95 percent of our children sustained or raised their pre-program reading levels and did not suffer any summer learning slide. That exceeded the national average of CDF Freedom Schools at 84.5 percent for the same period. We are enormously proud of that achievement," said Groce. Freedom School already had begun planning its 2020 curriculum when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, affecting the program physically and financially. Fortunately, Groce was on the job. "Mrs. Groce has worked during the last several weeks to adapt the program in order to be able to serve students via a delivery arrangement, which will bring Freedom School to their homes, despite significant challenges which have included a drastic cut in funding this year," said Katie. H. Powers, board vice chair of Appleton Episcopal Ministries. Freedom School has made it a point to personally deliver meals, curriculum packets, new books and craft supplies to its students three days a week, because, Groce said, "the defining element of our literacy program is developing and sustaining personal relationships with our children to bring about positive community engagement and improvement." Two days a week, teachers read with and mentor students by any possible means. "Even with the pandemic, we can reinforce the consistency of familiar faces; the security of shared experience; the recognition, respect and appreciation of our differences and our similarities; and the joy of exploring, learning and having fun together," said Groce. "In this way, we are living out our Baptismal covenant – to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself, striving for justice and peace among all people, and respecting the dignity of every human being."—Ivy Marie Clarke 8