LEAP of Noble County, Inc.’s History and Accomplishments
In 1999, the Dekko Foundation recognized a growing need for a literacy organization in Noble County. With help from community leaders, and the National Center for Family Literacy in Louisville, Kentucky, the first Board of Directors began planning what would become LEAP of Noble County, Inc. LEAP, the Literacy Empowering and Advocating Project, has since grown into a county-wide literacy revolution serving youth and the community. Through quality literacy programs throughout Noble County, LEAP seeks to fulfill its mission of providing Noble County families and individuals with the power of literacy and the skills that promote life-long success.
In pursuing its mission, LEAP has grown to serve literacy needs in Noble County. Through LEAP, students of all ages can receive one-on-one homework help and tutoring; adult learners can earn a GED in English or in Spanish; families can attend ENL classes and Adult Basic Education classes coupled with Early Childhood Education, PACT (Parent And Child Together) Time, and Parenting classes; and students in grades 1-12 at the West Noble School Corporation can attend quality after school programming five days each week provided by LEAP, West Noble School Corporation, Drug Free Noble County, and the Purdue Extension Service.
LEAP’s success during its early history can be measured in many ways. Program participation is a key indicator of the value that students place on LEAP of Noble County’s programs. Between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2007 students spent a total of 174,897 hours in LEAP education programs, or an average of 4,858 hours each month. During the 2006-2007 program year, 1,269 students, approximately 2% of Noble County’s population, participate din LEAP literacy programs.
LEAP’s success can also be measured in the academic growth demonstrated by its students. Preliminary data suggest that more than 85% of students served in the Albion, Ligonier and Kendallville Learning Centers have demonstrated academic growth annually. Currently, ninety (90) students are served in one-on-one tutoring at LEAP’s three Noble county Learning Centers. An additional sixty five (65) students are currently on a waiting list for one-on-one services.
Over a four year period, 1,181 children and 1,045 adults enrolled in LEAP’s 21st Century Community Learning Center program, New DAWN. A professional evaluation reveals that during the 2006-2007 program year English grades for students enrolled in the program improved at each grade level (grades 1-5). Students also demonstrated substantial improvement on math and reading pre and post assessments. In addition, students have engaged in age appropriate model character education programs, health and wellness programs, and cultural diversity activities. The New DAWN program has also offered model parenting programs in English and in Spanish to parents in the West Noble Community.
The results of annual testing of adults enrolled in LEAP classes are yet another measure of success. 95% of adults enrolled in English classes demonstrated growth in reading and listening comprehension during the 2006-2007 program year. More than 40 students have earned their GED certificate in programs administered by LEAP of Noble County since July 1, 2005.
LEAP of Noble County’s success can be measured in the community support it has generated. More than 330 community members have made financial contributions to LEAP of Noble County over the past three years. Over a three year period, that family of donors has generated more than a quarter of a million dollars in funding. LEAP has leveraged community support to generate more than $2.6 million in support of a more literate Noble County during that period.
LEAP of Noble County, Inc.’s success can be measured by the impact it has had on local business and the local economy. Local business owners have praised LEAP for its work with their Hispanic workforce and have commented that through LEAP’s services they now have a more capable, confident, and fluent According to the ProLiteracy Worldwide, each dollar invested in an adult literacy program yields an eleven dollar return to the overall economy. Following that formula, LEAP programs have provided a long term economic benefit of more than $30 million to Noble County in the past seven years.
