Greetings:
As you may recall, back in 2018 an editorial was written explaining the desire to divert some holiday donations to the gift that will last a lifetime. . . READING. Numerous financial donations poured into the Madison Community Policing Foundation and the "Community Read" program began in 2019. We canceled 2020 due to the pandemic, but we were back on track in 2021 and last Thursday, 7/29 we honored those students who worked hard at their reading lessons this summer. Through the enormous efforts of Becky Kilzer and Marcia Ouchakof, retired reading specialists, and Joe Balles from the Madison Community Policing Foundation we expanded the program to include both the West and Southside youth. The youth were tutored by hired reading specialist, paid for by the community's generosity, and showed remarkable improvements in their reading scores!! Last Thursday there was a celebration honoring everyone's hard work. Family members also came to the celebration to recognize their achievements!! This was a great event at the South Police District bringing together the community, the hard working youth, proud parents, tutors and the Police. The gift of reading lasts a lifetime! The gift of reading opens many new doors. We'll do this again in 2022!!!
Captain Mike Hanson, South Police District