ALLENTOWN, Pa. – For more than 25 years, the Children\u2019s Dyslexia Center of the Lehigh Valley has provided free tutoring to children with dyslexia. On Friday night, community members gathered at the Masonic Temple in Allentown to ensure that mission continues.<\/p>\n
Members of the community rally together for a gala with one goal– to support the Children’s Dyslexia Center of the Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s absolutely wonderful,\u201d said Marilyn Mathis, former director of the Center. \u201cIn order to be able to help these children, we rely on donations, and this is an event we have to raise money to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The money raised helps fund free dyslexia tutoring for children in the area.<\/p>\n
Rosette Roth is the co-founder of Decoding Dyslexia Pennsylvania, which is a grassroots organization.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is humongous,\u201d Roth said. \u201cAnywhere you live, if there\u2019s a dyslexia center by you, sign up to volunteer and get trained to be a tutor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Juli Smith, a former student at the Center, shared how the program changed her life. Tutored by Mathis for three years, Smith now teaches children with dyslexia at the Cambridge School.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been really incredible to help them and relate to them on that level,\u201d Smith said. \u201cWhen they feel badly about themselves, I can say I\u2019ve been there and give them that encouragement and support to really propel themselves forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith also highlighted the ongoing need for dyslexia support.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s incredible that it\u2019s still going on,\u201d she said. \u201cOne in five students have dyslexia, so the need is never going to go away. It\u2019s great to see everyone rally around that and recognize that there\u2019s such a need to help students succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n