About MARC
Building confidence through literacy.
Strengthening our community.
The Montcalm Area Reading Council (MARC) provides free adult literacy and English language learning opportunities that empower individuals to improve their lives, achieve their goals, and participate more fully in our community.
Since 1986
Serving Montcalm County
100%
Free Adult Literacy Services
100+
Volunteer Learning Coaches
1:1
Individual Tutoring
ESL
English Language Learning
30+
Community Partnerships
Our Mission
MARC's mission is to promote literacy and English language learning for adults in Montcalm County by providing free instruction, tutoring, and support.
Our Vision
A community where every adult has the literacy skills and confidence to pursue their goals and create a better future for themselves and their families.
Our Values
We Welcome Everyone
We create a safe, nonjudgmental space where all adults are respected and valued.
We Believe in People
Every person has the ability to learn, grow, and achieve their goals.
We Make a Difference
We provide practical support that leads to real, life-changing results.
We Strengthen Our Community
Literacy strengthens families, workplaces, and the entire community.
We Act with Integrity
We are good stewards of our resources and honor the trust placed in us.
Our History
MARC was founded in 1986 by a group of local volunteers who saw a need for adult literacy services in Montcalm County. What began as a small tutoring effort has grown into a strong community resource with a network of dedicated volunteers and valued partnerships.
Today, MARC continues to provide free, one-on-one instruction that helps adults gain confidence, improve their skills, and open doors to new opportunities.
1986
MARC is founded by community volunteers with a vision to promote literacy for adults in our area.
2000+
Programs expand to include English language learning, conversation groups, and community partnerships.
Today
Hundreds of learners and volunteers continue to build a stronger, more literate Montcalm County.
Executive Director
Amanda Lee
Executive Director
Amanda Lee has lived in Montcalm County nearly all her life. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University, where she obtained her degree in political science with a minor in journalism. She worked in the newspaper industry as a writer and editor before becoming the development director for Have Mercy. She joined MARC as Executive Director in January of 2022.
Board of Directors
Our volunteer board guides MARC’s mission and stewards its work in Montcalm County.
Jamie Hansen-Hopkins
Chairperson
Jamie Hansen is a lifelong resident of Montcalm County. She has resided in Stanton, Gowen and Langston. She currently lives in Sheridan. She is Academic Advisor/Assistant Professor at Ferris State University. She has 25 years of teaching experience with an emphasis in helping those struggling to read and write. She spends much of her free time with her children. She enjoys watching her son play basketball, tending to the flowers in her yard, hiking, listening to audiobooks or reading.
Bob Ferrentino
Vice Chairperson
Bob Ferrentino is a current MARC learning coach. He is also the President Emeritus of Montcalm Community College and active in many other volunteer organizations. He has more than 25 years of membership in the Rotary Club and a history of leadership roles in various community organizations, including the Danish Festival and Montcalm County Habitat for Humanity.
Shirley Pyle
Secretary
Shirley Pyle has had two careers – one in journalism and another in human services; she graduated from Central Michigan University and has lived in mid-Michigan ever since. Shirley retired from the State of Michigan, Department of Human Services, and continues to see the importance reading and education have in lifting our community and strengthening us as individuals. Shirley’s hobbies include reading, writing, paddling, and traveling.
Stef Reed
Treasurer
Stefanie Reed is the Director of the Flat River Community Library. She grew up in Lowell and went to Central Michigan University to get her Bachelor’s in English. She went on to get an MFA in Writing from University of Colorado-Boulder and a Masters of Library Information Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She has been a librarian, originally in youth services, for the past four years, but she has been a librarian at heart her whole life. She lives in Greenville with her husband and two sons. She is an avid reader of mysteries, young adult fiction, history and true crime.
Cheryl Smith
Member
Cheryl Smith lives in Howard City. She has been the director of the Timothy C. Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library for nearly 20 years. Prior to that, she worked at Head Start as a center director and eventually an area coordinator. She is also a trustee on the Howard City Village Council.
Get Involved
Whether you become a learner, volunteer as a Learning Coach, or support our work through a donation, you can help change lives through literacy.
