To help improve reading skills to deaf and hard of hearing students at the John Powers Center (JPC) in Vernon Hills, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded a Youth Literacy grant in the amount of $2,000.

“Funding from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation would allow John Powers Center to expand their Guided Reading Library through the purchase of Guided Reading books that meet the varied needs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) students,” said Alyssa Sonza-Novera, speech/language pathologist.

As individual students have strengths in different sensory modes, JPC uses a comprehensive communication approach combining sign language, finger-spelling, lip-reading, listening and speech. JPC was the first school in the area to initiate a program specifically designed to meet the needs of the D/HH population.

“The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is pleased to support the literacy efforts of the Powers Center,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “The Youth Literacy grants are awarded annually at the start of the school year so that the funds are in place to have an impact on reading education and support.”

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s Youth Literacy grants are awarded to assist with implementing new or expanding existing youth literacy programs; to purchase new technology or equipment to support youth literacy initiatives; or to purchase books, materials or software for youth literary programs.

In August, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation awarded grants totaling more than $2 million to 564 non-profit organizations, community groups, schools and libraries throughout the United States. It is estimated that approximately 315,000 youth will be served as a result of these grants.