The Lena Sommers Youth and Teen Literacy program was developed by the staff of the Nehemiah Project in 2014. The Nehemiah Project is a youth serving agency located in Milwaukee for 49 years Many of the children we work with were not reading at grade level. Through investigation, we learned that there is little help available for kids who have reading deficits in our community; all the major literacy programs in our community are for adults. As an agency, we felt that addressing the literacy needs of children would have a substantial impact on their ability to fully participate in further education and the workforce.

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After considerable research, time and preparation, our agency partnered with both St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care and Cardinal Stritch University to overcome the deficit of services in the areas of reading assessment and instruction for young people. Opened in 2016 at its current location at 24th and North Ave. inside the beautiful and welcoming Sr. Ann Center, the reading and literacy center provides a safe and nurturing environment in which children can learn and grow.