Fresh off of its popular annual Soap Box Derby, the Hopkinsville Kiwanis Club took time Thursday to donate a pair of $1,000 checks to local non-profits in the Dyslexia Association of the Pennyrile and Men 2 Be.
In their own ways, both organizations service youths and adults in west Kentucky and particularly Hopkinsville, and through public support often change the trajectory of someone’s life for the better.
Vicky Jones, executive director for the Dyslexia Association, said as much in a humble statement — adding the Barton Reading and Spelling programs alongside new screenings help course correct those of all ages.
Through twice-a-week tutoring over two semesters, Jones said most children experience an 8-month to two-year gain in skill levels right from the jump.
Jones noted there are a number of success stories for the Association, but one particularly resonates with her.
It’s low-cost tutoring, too. For $100 per semester, children and adults needing services receive intentional focus for 28 days over 14 weeks. Jones said parents are trained to assist for at-home practice, while summers are used as a good downtime for mental rest and for other positive activities.
There’s high demand for the Pennyrile’s efforts, too, because of Clarksville’s cost. Jones noted they charge nearly $300 up front and $70 an hour, which isn’t as affordable as Hopkinsville’s offerings.
In Hopkinsville, families can fill out scholarship applications, which are reviewed and often applied to help defray service costs. Screenings are also $100.
Jones spent 19 years as a special education teacher, and she said she had “chills” when Kiwanis Club president Terry Bell presented the $1,000 donation.
Men 2 Be, meanwhile, is a recently-started non-profit founded by Mr. Derrick and Mrs. LaDessa Lewis, who identified needs during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organization is a mentoring program for boys aged 7 to high school graduation. Vice Killebrew said there are more than 60 in the ranks right now, and that’s more than enough.
Hopkinsville Kiwanis has annual funds set aside for donations such as this, and club vice president Toby Hudson said these two programs were deserving at this time.
The club has full intentions of keeping this up in full perpetuity.
