Reading is a wonderful tool for learning about the world around us. For many children, reading comes easily and learning how to read is exciting and fun. But for others, reading can be a challenge that casts a shadow over their experience in school.
In some cases, dyslexia might be the cause of that struggle. Once thought to be uncommon, dyslexia is now estimated to affect “20 percent of the population and represent[s] 80 to 90 percent of all those with learning disabilities,” according to the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity. Taking this percentage into account, there could be up to 20,000 children and adults within Dubuque County who are affected.
At the same time, services have historically been limited in many U.S. communities — including Dubuque. The nearest tutoring centers to Dubuque are 1 hour and 30 minutes away in Madison and Cedar Rapids. Now, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is working to change this reality. Thanks to a Community Foundation donor who is passionate about this issue, as well as the work of local partners, new services have arrived in Dubuque.
Teaming Up to Support Children
While the Community Foundation works to empower communities and ignite generosity across seven counties in Northeast Iowa, it does not provide direct services. It does, however, build partnerships with people and organizations that provide services. The Foundation can “incubate” initiatives that address pressing issues and hand off facilitation to an organization that can operate the program on an ongoing basis.
That’s where our partner organizations come in. One of those partners is Iowa-based Aspire Academy, which trains local residents in the Orton-Gillingham method of dyslexia tutoring, enabling them to provide one-on-one services. Seventeen people have completed the tutor training, and 10 more are currently enrolled in the next cohort.
Tutors work with students at sites around the community, including the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque, the Dream Academy, local schools and Northeast Iowa Community College’s new dyslexia classroom on its downtown Dubuque campus.
The Community Foundation, meanwhile, provides income-based scholarships to families in the region, helping them access services. Since the program began in 2023, 36 students have received screenings, and 21 are receiving ongoing support.
“While dyslexia can pose challenges, it doesn’t have to limit children’s learning,” says Dr. Donna Loewen, a longtime Dubuque public school principal who now oversees the Community Foundation’s dyslexia initiative. “Thanks to a generous donor, we are bringing much-needed resources — and peace of mind — to families in the Dubuque region.”
Building on Success
For a decade, the Community Foundation has led Every Child Reads, a network of educators and nonprofit leaders focused on supporting third grade reading proficiency, a key predictor of high school graduation. The dyslexia initiative builds on this work to provide another type of support.
Dyslexia is not just a literacy issue, it’s a community issue, says local resident and business owner J.B. Priest. Both he and his son have dyslexia.
“Our community will benefit when dyslexics are allowed to use their unique skills to contribute,” says Priest. “Unleashing the dyslexic brain to work within our society benefits everyone through creative invention and unique perspective.”
The dyslexic brain functions differently from the non-dyslexic brain, making it difficult to identify and separate speech sounds within a word and learn how letters represent those sounds. Consequently, what children see and what they say may get mixed up in their processing, resulting in challenges with reading, spelling and writing. Those with dyslexia might switch similar words or need extra time to read something.
It Takes a Community
Supporting children with dyslexia takes many different people and organizations, including schools, nonprofits and medical providers. Iowa schools are required to provide universal screening from kindergarten through the third grade as a way for educators to identify reading concerns. Psychologists and speech and language pathologists diagnose dyslexia after considering several factors such as specific test results and medical history. Once diagnosed, school personnel can assist students, while nonprofits and tutors provide ongoing support outside of the classroom.
The new dyslexia initiative brings these different parts together to focus on the same goal: ensuring all children have the resources they need to succeed in school and life.
Anyone interested in supporting scholarships for dyslexia services can contact the Community Foundation at 563-588-2700. Families interested in screenings, consultations or services can contact Dr. Donna Loewen at 563-253-7685 or donna@dbqfoundation.org.
Since 2003 The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque has inspired people to give back to their community, and we turn this generosity into lasting change across our region, increasing access to resources and opportunities that help all people succeed. Visit Dbqfoundation.org to learn about the ways we are building a strong, thriving Greater Dubuque for all—and how you can donate your time, talents, and dollars to transform our region.
This article is made possible by a partnership between the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and Julien’s Journal.
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