The dawn of the 21st Century found levels education attainment in Noble County falling behind that of other Indiana counties. In 1990 Noble County ranked 66th out of 92, and by 2000 stood 76th out of Indiana’s 92 counties in the number of adults 25 and older with a high school diploma.
During that same period, 1990-2000, the Hispanic population in Noble County grew 428%. A frightening 24.6% of Hispanic families in Noble County live at or below the poverty level, making them victims of extreme economic deprivation. This condition fosters further problems within the family such as alcohol and drug abuse, low levels of monitoring and supervision for children, and sometimes, physical and emotional abuse.
In 2000 the Dekko Foundation’s Board of Directors determined that there was no organization that empowered citizens who were functionally illiterate or members of the poor working class. Lacking this resource, Noble County found itself locked in a cycle of generational poverty and illiteracy that challenged the community in many ways.
To launch a literacy initiative in Noble County, the Dekko Foundation made a three year, $900,000 financial commitment to LEAP of Noble County, Inc. Experts were hired to help the LEAP Board of Directors develop a strategic plan of action that included what to offer based on the perceived need. The LEAP board authored the organization’s first mission statement, “To empower the people of Noble County with the skills necessary to advocate for themselves and their children
In June 2001, LEAP established its first literacy program, an English as a New Language program, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ligonier. Literacy programs soon followed at Ligonier Untied Methodist church, the Rome City School, the Kendallville Public Library, and the South Side Elementary School in Kendallville. In December of 2001, LEAP moved its offices to Albion and established the Noble County Learning Center. The Learning Center opened in February 2002 and features twelve networked computer workstations each stocked with educational software including the PLATO educational software suite. In the summer of 2002, LEAP was awarded one of 21 Even Start Family Literacy grants in the State of Indiana. Hosted at South Side Elementary School in Kendallville, this program combines adult education, early childhood education, interactive literacy activities for parents and children, and parenting into a comprehensive and coordinated learning experience for families. The Department of Education provided approximately $635,000 in funding during the four year grant cycle. Since the expiration of the Even Start grant in May of 2006, LEAP and its partners have continued to provide comprehensive family literacy services in Kendallville. By June 2002, LEAP had established nine literacy programs throughout Noble County.
In February of 2003 LEAP employed the Fleck Leadership Center in an effort to accelerate its organizational development. In multiple session led by Jim Fleck, a combination of board and staff reinvented LEAP of Noble County, Inc. A new mission statement, “To provide Noble County families and individuals with the power of literacy and the skills that promote life-long success” helped to clearly articulate what it is that LEAP does.
In March of 2003 LEAP was awarded one of 27 Twenty First Century Community Learning Center Grants in the state of Indiana. The grant provides $1,080,462 over a four year period to implement an after-school and out-of –school learning program that is designed to raise student achievement, build strong character and citizenship skills, provide opportunities for interactive literacy activities between parents and children, and provide adult education opportunities that lead to economic self-sufficiency. Since its inception on September 2, 2003 New DAWN has served 1,181 children in grades K-5, and 1,045 adults. In March of 2007, LEAP was awarded $401,110 to expand New DAWN services to include 5th-12th graders. The expanded program will begin in September 2007.
LEAP offers GED classes in English and Spanish, ENL (English as a New Language) classes, parenting classes, an Family Literacy Program, an after school program, New DAWN (New Dimensions at West Noble, as well as adult education programs sponsored by the Mexican government’s adult education entity. LEAP’s three learning centers provide one-on-one tutoring, job skills training, computer training, and college preparation. Each week, an average of 85 students take part in two forty-five minute one-on-one tutoring sessions. More than 80% of those students have demonstrated academic improvement during their tenure at the learning centers. Throughout the county, LEAP programs offer access to needed resources, and provide educational opportunities for Noble County families. During the 2006-2007 program year, LEAP programs served an average of more than 350 participants each week. In total, 1,203 students spent 57,918.75 hours in LEAP literacy programs between June of 2006 and May of 2007.
Today, LEAP is leading the cause for empowerment through literacy in Noble County. Through programs county-wide, LEAP of Noble County, Inc. is building a stronger, more literate Noble County. A short but rich history has laid the foundation for a bright future. The support of employees, board members, community organizations, business, and industry is vital to realizing LEAP’s vision of success which states, “LEAP of Noble County, Inc. ignites a learning revolution that results in a community that values family literacy and education, pursues life long learning, and empowers its individuals and families with the knowledge to follow and achieve their dreams.”
