MY 24 HOURS IN NEWPORT
SUE GRANT , FOUNDER OF THE LITERACY PROJECT , SHARES WHAT SHE LOVES ABOUT LIFE ON LIDO ISLE AND SETTING KIDS UP FOR SUCCESS THROUGH READING .
BY SHARON STELLO
LIDO LIFE
Grant particularly enjoys spending time on LIDO ISLE , where she resides . “ I love the golden hearts of the residents , the magically changing views , walking among the gardens and watching life emanate around us every day . It brings such gratitude ,” she says .
As founder and volunteer CEO of The Literacy Project , Sue Grant is committed to helping kids improve their reading skills to boost their success in school and life .
Grant established the Newport Beach nonprofit in 2009 after a career in publicity and marketing . “ In my first career path , I worked fundamentally to put myself through college and pay bills . [ Then , in ] my second career path , OC Public Relations , I worked passionately with skills I loved and honed ,” Grant says . “[ And for ] my third career path , The Literacy Project , my heartstrings were tugged and I wanted to return to my original career as a counselor for troubled , school-age kids , especially to help those of lesser means and disadvantaged circumstances — best feeling ever .”
Focused on making the biggest possible impact , she serves the organization unpaid . “ I started The Literacy Project within my PR firm and funded the first three years with my staff ,” she explains . “ When I retired from OCPR and wanted to manage TLP full time , … my husband and I decided I would forgo a salary to enable TLP to further flourish .”
Earlier this year , Grant was honored at the World Literacy Summit for her work . She was selected to make a presentation to the World Literacy Foundation ’ s judging panel , earning a top five finish . But she emphasizes that TLP ’ s accomplishments are not hers alone . “ It took a village of supporters to passionately develop The Literacy Project in every aspect of what it stands for today ,” Grant says .
To date , The Literacy Project has reached more than 10,500 students from low-income families at no cost to children or their schools , thanks to Grant ’ s efforts , which have helped the nonprofit raise over $ 4.8 million . The Literacy Project serves students throughout Southern California , from LA to Coachella Valley , as well as Utah , Arizona and New Mexico . In OC , the organization focuses on Anaheim , one of the least literate cities in the nation , Grant notes .
Grant says she feels “ incredible ” about the progress made by TLP since its inception . “ We are so proud to mainly operate in school districts during daytime
A Restaurant R & D Kitchen Gulfstream
HARBOR HAPPINESS
With NEWPORT HARBOR so close by , Grant says she loves the “ tranquility of being on the water , anytime .” “ We jet ski , paddleboard , [ ride in a ] Duffy , tender cruise and enjoy our Palm Beach ,” she says . “ The water is our happy place .”
DIVINE DINING
“ Working as a publicist in hospitality for so many years ,” she says , “ I have so much admiration for our culinary greats .” She still enjoys going to many of their dining establishments , including A RESTAURANT . “ It remains a go-to restaurant for great meals and fond memories .”
instruction — that is a giant endorsement of our work ,” she says . “ We have a small budget , but we are proud that almost every dime goes to our kids and their futures .”
The organization ’ s program encompasses 30 hours of specialized instruction using TLP ’ s The New Phonics Game . A master teacher leads a group of six elementary students in a 45-minute session with a board game and cards to cover the 13 phonetic rules . Socially interactive and lightly competitive , the experience promotes learning while having fun .
“ Second grade is considered the milestone age when a student needs to master the foundational phonetic skills of reading ,” Grant says . “ Once they enter third grade , if they are not proficient , they will struggle with reading comprehension , vocabulary , spelling and writing . Our effort to catch students at this critical age is called ‘ bridging the literacy gap .’ … Today , post-COVID , our illiteracy rates among elementary school children have skyrocketed , posting the worst scores in the past 30 years . We now serve third grade kids as well and even some fourth graders who are failing .”
Donations are always needed and welcomed , as well as volunteers — from serving on fundraising committees to providing office assistance , helping in schools , bringing refreshments for graduates or speaking to students about how reading affected your career . For more information , visit literacyproj . org . A fundraiser event , Savor Newport Beach — a Napa-style dinner under the stars — is also set Sept . 23 at Newport Beach Country Club .
Grant has resided in Newport since 1974 , but was no stranger to the area while growing up . “ I was born in La Habra Heights , … [ but ] I have been spending time in Newport for as long as I can remember ,” she recalls .
Grant lives on Lido Isle with her husband , Gary ; they have three grown children , Crystal , Mackenize and Travis , plus two grandchildren , Eastyn , 5 , and Hudsyn , 3 .
She chose to settle in Newport because she loves the great outdoors and this city ’ s coastal setting . “ Being here is like taking a deep breath of enthusiasm every day ,” she says . “ I wanted to experience the serenity of the water .”
CULINARY CORNERSTONES
Grant also appreciates the dining options offered by Hillstone Restaurant Group , from BANDERA to GULFSTREAM and R & D KITCHEN . “ Lots of exceptional meals and camaraderie at Gulfstream ,” she says , “ and it will always be extra special because it was my first date with Gary Grant .” NBM
TOP : SHERI GEOFFREYS ; BOTTOM ROW , FROM LEFT : COURTESY OF A RESTAURANT ; COURTESY OF FASHION ISLAND ; LEXIE SCOTT
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