MVP partner Lead with Literacy hosting virtual Macon Family Time cohort

Beginning Monday, November 9, Lead With Literacy, a Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program partner, will welcome its 12th Macon Family Time cohort for middle and high school students and their families. An informational session and registration link will be posted on the Lead With Literacy Facebook page on Friday, November 6.

This cohort will be held virtually on Zoom every Monday beginning November 9 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. This will be a six-week cohort, and families should be available to attend all sessions. Space is limited to 10 families.

Throughout the program, participating families will participate in a book study, learn parenting skills, work on social emotional learning and critical thinking, practice family skills like positive communication, discuss the importance of family mealtime, and more. Though virtual on Mondays, there will be family meetups in person at different locations around the community.

"Literacy is at the core of everything a child needs to be successful in school and life," says Mayor Lester Miller. "Thank you to Lead With Literacy for helping families improve their children's abilities and grow closer together throughout the process."

"Macon Family Time is about more than reading. It's about bringing parents and children together to strengthen relationships, build communication skills, and create lasting memories together," says Tamika Withers, Lead With Literacy Executive Director. "Through literacy, learning, and shared experiences, we're helping families build stronger connections that extend beyond our weekly sessions. Building stronger families through literacy is the heart of this program."

About the Macon Violence Prevention Program

Macon Violence Prevention is an evidence-based, multifaceted program created to address public safety in Macon-Bibb County. Supported and funded by the consolidated government, MVP is a community-wide effort that brings together elected officials, community leaders and representatives.

Since its inception, more than $2.5 million has been granted to local nonprofit and community organizations. From 2022 to 2025, the Macon-Bibb homicide rate dropped by 60%, and the youth homicide rate fell by 87% between 2022 and 2025.

The MVP program operates under the guidance of the MVP Strategic Plan, which was created in June of 2021 by community stakeholders and violent crime experts. The plan combines data and research with community feedback to identify and implement proven solutions that reduce violent crime and strengthen the community over time.

"The solution to violent crime in our community will be found in all of us working together on the same team," explained Mayor Lester Miller. "The fact that so many people have stepped forward shows that our community is committed to this historic effort. If we continue to work together, we will create a safer, stronger community now and for future generations."