Play Games With Real People!
Play games like Scrabble, Bananagrams, and more. All ages can play. We’re practicing for the real event in December. Your feedback will help us get this right. Players and volunteers are needed.
Registration is preferred. Click here to register.
Celebrating National Senior Citizens Day
IntroToSeniorReadingEvent2022 by lmitchell50
Metro East Literacy Project volunteers read to senior citizens at the Clyde C. Jordan Senior Center in East St. Louis, Illinois on Friday, September 9, 2022. This was the third year for this event. Volunteers included employees of Cork Tree Creative Marketing, homeschool children, and supporters of literacy.
Celebrating Juneteenth
Linda Mitchell read "Free At Last" at the Juneteenth event hosted by the O'Fallon, IL NAACP at the public library.
Encouragement Volunteer Trainings
Michelle's Place Child Care Center, Cahokia, Illinois
Training at the O'Fallon, IL Public Library. Guest speaker Dr. Jef Williams discussed trauma in families.
Speaking about Early Childhood Literacy at the Healthy Baby Forum
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On June 4, 2022, Linda Mitchell spoke to expectant parents at Scott Air Force Base about the importance of early childhood literacy at a Healthy Baby Forum. The event was hosted by the Metro East Diaper Bank, founded by Norma McCandless.
Young Leaders Institute
Linda Mitchell, first row, third from right, spoke to the Young Leaders of the O'Fallon-Shiloh, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, about how the mission and genesis of the Metro East Literacy Project, on May 18, 2022.
The Literacy Landscape of Walmart
MELP executive director Linda Mitchell speaks at the grand reopening of the O'Fallon, Illinois Walmart on May 17, 2022. MELP is a recipient of a Walmart Community grant.
Linda Mitchell speaking and receiving a $1,000 grant from the Walmart Community Foundation on July 1, 2022, in Belleville, IL.
Drive-up Book Giveaway on December 18, 2021
MELP Gives Away over 10,000 Books to Families
Wow! The food, toy, clothing, and BOOK giveaway on Saturday, December 18, 2021. was a huge blessing to the community of East St. Louis, Illinois. Cars were lined up for almost a mile to enter the event. The event served over 500 families. Thank you to Pastor Darrell Chapman of the Mind of Christ Church for allowing MELP to plant the seeds of literacy in the community.
MELP gave out:
--Over 10,000 books
--To over 400 families
--With the help of 50 volunteers throughout the planning period
--Serving 120 volunteer hours
--At a cost of under $7,000.
Special thanks to all the volunteers, grantors, in-kind contributors, and donors who made this event possible.
- MELP board members: Wanda Leflore, Ryan Johnson, Karen Parker Davis, Libby Levin, Norma McCandless, Conswala Jones, Dr. Norman Robinson, Aviva Jaye Mitchell, and Odell Mitchell III
- Juston Bradshaw, custom construction
- Omega Psi Phi fraternity and Project Manhood Mentees
- O’Fallon Township High School Volleyball and Baseball teams
- 100 Black Men
- Odell Mitchell Jr., Photographer
- Mrs. Curtis Paradise
- Dewayne Love
- Marc Mitchell
- Peggy Mitchell and her Bible study group
- Linda Kahley, Linda Gruhala and their Bible Study group
- Yolandea Wood the O'Fallon Rotary Club
- Navigation Church
- Kaelin Richardson, Zoe Maffitt and Judy Maffitt
- Donna Kotras and Judy Swalley
- Lealia Williams and son, James Williams
- Amanda Lynn
- Milton LeFlore
- Jackie Denise Croffett
- Kenric Lynn
- Darnell Stierwalt
- Deborah Clark
- Denise Rencher Hughes
- Nancy Buttimer
- Greg and Diane Zelinske
- Ann Morey
- Friends of the O’Fallon Public Library
- Jessica Handy
- Jessica Harrison & Paula Daley, Allstate
- Sheila Oliveri, Ready Readers
- Liz Brookshire
- Hannah Sherrard, East St. Louis Youth Development Alliance
- Priscella Jones, Familia Dental
- Linda Spencer
- NZinga Medley
- Jean Albrecht
- Steve Stokes
- Diane Campbell
- Lisa Greening, Turn the Page STL
- Jessica Lotz, The 618 Podcast
- Joyce Meyer Ministries
- Lindsey Wold, Applied Behavioral Analyst
- Scott Credit Union
- State Farm
Nora Roberts Foundation, Ameren Illinois Foundation, Walmart Community Grants, St. Louis Community Foundation Black Communities Investment Initiative, Allstate Heart and Hands, Thrivent Action Teams, and Illinois Humanities
Retail support:
Menards, Uline, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Chick-fil-A, Office Max, U-Haul, Gordon Food Service, Vista Print, Home Depot, and Crown Shades Canopy
Thank you for supporting the community with literacy!
Tutu Women's Conference--Education Speaker
Speaking to CEO Teens About Nonprofits
Linda M. Mitchell speaking to high school seniors about the Metro East Literacy Project.
Troy, Illinois, March 11, 2021
I enjoyed the opportunity to speak with the CEO Teens group of high school seniors about how I formed my nonprofit organization, the Metro East Literacy Project. I loved their questions and engagement.
I enjoyed the opportunity to speak with the CEO Teens group of high school seniors about how I formed my nonprofit organization, the Metro East Literacy Project. I loved their questions and engagement.
Drive-up Book and Diaper Giveaway-2020
Saturday, October 17, 2020
Organized by the Metro East Literacy Project (Linda M. Mitchell) and the Metro East Diaper Bank (Norma McCandless) in Fairview Heights, Illinois
PREPARATION DAY
EVENT DAY
Senior Citizens Day Reading Event
Friday, August 23, 2019,
Clyde C. Jordan Senior Center
East St. Louis, Illinois
Clyde C. Jordan Senior Center
East St. Louis, Illinois
Venture Café EdHub STL
Want to learn about “Harnessing Imitation to Boost Reading Achievement”? Come out to my session at @VenCafSTL on August 22, at 7:30 p.m. https://bit.ly/2Z65EYX #vencafstl
Back to School Bash
St Louis Dream Center
Saturday, August 10, 2019
Saturday, August 10, 2019
Celebrating Seniors Reading Events
Friday, August 23, 2019 10 AM to 11 AM
Friday, September 13, 2019, 10 AM to 11 AM
Clyde C. Jordan Senior Center
6755 State St.
East St Louis, IL 62203
Join the Celebration of National Senior Day and Grandparents Day in 2019!
Friday, September 13, 2019, 10 AM to 11 AM
Clyde C. Jordan Senior Center
6755 State St.
East St Louis, IL 62203
Join the Celebration of National Senior Day and Grandparents Day in 2019!
Village of Moms Literacy Event
YMCA O’Fallon Park
St. Louis, Missouri
June 30, 2019
I was thrilled to share the message of literacy with several individual families and family well-being advocates at this community reading and health event.
Youth In Need presentation
3013 Meramec
St. Louis, Missouri
June 19, 2019.
St. Louis, Missouri
June 19, 2019.
I had the privilege of sharing my Imitate Reading Initiative with parents at Youth In Need for the third time. I truly appreciate Family Advocate Zibijana Rakovic’s desire to help her families become the best they can be.
Women’s Tutu Conference
North End Missionary Baptist Church
East St Louis, Illinois
May 5, 2019
It was my honor and pleasure to speak about literacy and my Imitate Reading Initiative at this conference to empower women in their health, finances, relationships and more.
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Coming Soon! African American Read-In 2019
St. Louis Metro East area
Click here for more information.
To volunteer, email Linda at lmitchell50@gmail.com.
Missouri Early Learning Conference
November 9-10, 2018
Harris Stowe State University, St. Louis, Missouri
Panelist--Saturday Session, E Round, 11:05 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
Harris Stowe State University, St. Louis, Missouri
Panelist--Saturday Session, E Round, 11:05 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
From left, Bill Kerns, Julius Anthony, Elise Tierney, Sam Bommarito, and Linda Mitchell
Linda Mitchell presenting her Imitate Reading Initiative
Linda Mitchell presenting her Imitate Reading Initiative
Resources from Linda's presentation.
The Imitate Reading Initiative
The Five Pillars of Family Literacy
Campaign for Grade Level Reading
Baby imitates "Rocky" moves
Imitation video from Sermon Central
Iowa Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Convening
October 4, 2018, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Speakers: Ralph Smith, manager, Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Speakers: Ralph Smith, manager, Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
Black Funders of St. Louis Workshop
- Workshop Title: Grant Writing 101 with Monique Norfolk, Mosaic Beginnings.com
- Date: Saturday, August 25th
- Time: 10:00a-11:30a
- Location: CIC St. Louis: 20 S Sarah St, St. Louis, MO 63108
Black Funders of St. Louis Workshop
- Workshop Title: Evaluation Basics for Small Organizations
- Date: Saturday, August 25th
- Time: 10:00a-11:30a
- Location: CIC St. Louis: 20 S Sarah St, St. Louis, MO 63108
The Reading Village presented by Village of Moms
Monsanto YMCA
St. Louis, Missouri
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Enjoyed networking at this event with representatives from several organizations, including
Saint Louis Black Authors, Ready Readers, Dr. Channie Cotton Reading Assessment and more. The best part was seeing all the young children eager to read books!
Enjoyed networking at this event with representatives from several organizations, including
Saint Louis Black Authors, Ready Readers, Dr. Channie Cotton Reading Assessment and more. The best part was seeing all the young children eager to read books!
Linda with Jamie Dennis, director of Save Our Sons of Ferguson, Missouri
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Linda with children who like to read books!
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Senior Citizens Day Storytelling Event
Thursday, August 23, 2012
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Clyde C Jordan Senior Citizens Center
6755 State Street East Saint Louis, Illinois 62203
618-293-6700
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Clyde C Jordan Senior Citizens Center
6755 State Street East Saint Louis, Illinois 62203
618-293-6700
Would you be available to help bring joy to a senior's heart by reading them a story? I'll have several children's books available that feature seniors and grandparents. Please contact me.
Volunteer Mayor Alvin Parks Jr. reading to seniors.
Volunteer DeWayne Love reading to seniors.
Volunteer Johnnie Hodges reading to seniors
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Inter-generational Family Reading Event
May 3, 2012, East St. Louis Higher Education Campus
"How Did We Get Here? Our Family's Journey From the South"
Presented by the Metro East Literacy Project
Click the links for program flyer and reading list.
May 3, 2012, East St. Louis Higher Education Campus
"How Did We Get Here? Our Family's Journey From the South"
Presented by the Metro East Literacy Project
Click the links for program flyer and reading list.
Great Migration Reading List 1
Great Migration Reading List 2
Event Program Flyer
Great Migration Reading Event Format
Great Migration Reading List 2
Event Program Flyer
Great Migration Reading Event Format
Black History Month Event
February 29, 2012
East St. Louis Higher Education Campus
Guest Speaker
Linda Mitchell gave a presentation entitled "Desperate to Learn." Linda talked about the dangers slaves faced in learning to read and write. She gave a roll call of ancestors who were desperate to learn and encouraged the students to follow in their forefathers' footsteps and not take their education for granted.
East St. Louis, IL
February 29, 2012
East St. Louis Higher Education Campus
Guest Speaker
Linda Mitchell gave a presentation entitled "Desperate to Learn." Linda talked about the dangers slaves faced in learning to read and write. She gave a roll call of ancestors who were desperate to learn and encouraged the students to follow in their forefathers' footsteps and not take their education for granted.
East St. Louis, IL
Holiday in the Rotunda program, Office of the Mayor, Alvin Parks Jr.
December 6, 2012
Guest speaker
Children’s book author and literacy advocate
Holiday in the Rotunda program, Office of the Mayor, Alvin Parks Jr.
East St. Louis, IL
December 6, 2012
Guest speaker
Children’s book author and literacy advocate
Holiday in the Rotunda program, Office of the Mayor, Alvin Parks Jr.
East St. Louis, IL
Summer Storytelling Program
June and July, 2012
Kim's Kids, East St. Louis, IL and St. Louis, MO
June and July, 2012
Kim's Kids, East St. Louis, IL and St. Louis, MO
Holiday in the Rotunda program, Office of the Mayor, Alvin Parks Jr.
December 7, 2011
Guest speakerChildren’s book author and literacy advocate
Office of the Mayor, Alvin Parks Jr.
East St. Louis, IL
December 7, 2011
Guest speakerChildren’s book author and literacy advocate
Office of the Mayor, Alvin Parks Jr.
East St. Louis, IL
East St. Louis Public Library Family Reading Night
November 18, 2011
Guest speaker on early literacy
East St. Louis, IL
November 18, 2011
Guest speaker on early literacy
East St. Louis, IL
East St. Louis Senior High School Beta Club Family Reading Night
November 18, 2011
Guest author
Students read Love Me Always and How Are You Today? to the audience
East St. Louis, IL
November 18, 2011
Guest author
Students read Love Me Always and How Are You Today? to the audience
East St. Louis, IL
2011 Summer Reading Series
Topics:
Celebrating Mothers
Celebrating Fathers
Celebrating Summer
Celebrating School
Topics:
Celebrating Mothers
Celebrating Fathers
Celebrating Summer
Celebrating School
Venues:
East St. Louis Public Library, 5300 State Street, East St. Louis, IL
Camp New Bethel, New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
5803 Belmont Ave., East St. Louis, IL
Delta Child Development Center
1012 S. 15th Street
East St. Louis, IL
East St. Louis Public Library, 5300 State Street, East St. Louis, IL
Camp New Bethel, New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
5803 Belmont Ave., East St. Louis, IL
Delta Child Development Center
1012 S. 15th Street
East St. Louis, IL