Church Dog Ministries
Mission
Church Dog Ministries (CDM) is a literacy ministry that encourages and equips children to improve their reading and reading comprehension skills by using faith-based books from the Church Dog book series and associated resources. These resources include Sunday School materials, Pre-school lessons, parent discussion guides, Vacation Bible School programs, teaching guides, flashcards, games, videos and other educational resources. Readers encounter basic sight words, as well as age-appropriate vocabulary words while increasing Bible knowledge with faith-based stories.
The program is organized so that a parent, teacher, or student-mentor can use any parts of the resource materials along with the books to help a child learn to read. The program can be used in a one-on-one setting or a larger, classroom setting.
Vision
Church Dog Ministries has a vision to, equip, encourage, and empower children with the message of Jesus Christ so they can impact their world- becoming readers today and leaders tomorrow. The program had a focus on geographic areas where reading rates are low. Our program aims to:
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Increase access to books for vulnerable children and inspire their imaginations.
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Promote universal values that produce positive behavior, increased self-confidence and grow leadership skills
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Encourage children to learn more about Bible characters and Bible stories.
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Train and engage parents, youth leaders and community members to read with younger children.
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Expand the amount of time children spend reading or being read to.
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Inspire children’s and parents’ appreciation and love of reading.
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Why is Reading so Important?
Students who can’t read proficiently by third grade become highly susceptible to larger setbacks as they grow older. Without the basic skill of reading, they are more likely to struggle throughout their school years, drop out of school, and become enmeshed in the criminal justice system. — Tutormate.org
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2/3 of students who cannot read proficiently by fourth grade will end up in jail or on welfare. 85 percent of all juveniles who interface with the juvenile court system are functionally illiterate.
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More than 60 percent of all prison inmates are functionally illiterate.
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Illiteracy and crime are closely related. The Department of Justice states, “The link between academic failure and delinquency, violence, and crime is welded to reading failure.” Over 70 percent of inmates in America’s prisons cannot read above a fourth-grade level.
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**Statistics reported by www.begintoread.com
Get involved
We are excited you are interested in learning more about our CDM Literacy Program! Childhood is the time when critical foundational development occurs — or doesn’t. CDM encourages some of the most vulnerable children around the world to read, while they develop a more positive attitude toward reading and education, grow in their faith, and build strong relationships with their peers and families. As a parent, educator or ministry leader, this is one of the very best investments you can make in your kids.
