Michigan Dyslexia Institute to open center in Oceana County 

OCP photo/Work continues on the West Shore Community College building, which is the former Gale’s IGA grocery store, on State Street in Hart. A Michigan Dyslexia Institute center will be located inside the building.

HART — A grant from the Oceana Community Foundation will allow the Michigan Dyslexia Institute to open a center in Oceana County.

The Oceana County Center of the Michigan Dyslexia Institute received a $10,260 grant from the community foundation. Through this grant, MDI is expanding its services by opening its sixth center in the State of Michigan in Oceana County, states a press release from the organization. 

These funds, awarded from the Oceana Youth Fund ($4,000), the Community Investment Fund, donated by an anonymous donor ($5,260), and Mrs. Mullen’s Closet Fund ($1,000) at the community foundation, will support the training of instructors for a new center of the Michigan Dyslexia Institute in Oceana County.

Opening in September or October of 2026, the center will be located in the West Shore Community College building, formerly Gale’s IGA, at 710 South State St. in Hart. It will be led by Director Heather Ramseyer, a veteran teacher and Oceana County native, who brings extensive experience in education and a strong connection to the local community.

“This grant reflects our commitment to expanding access to high-quality literacy instruction. The Michigan Dyslexia Institute is delivering meaningful impact for those who need it in Oceana County, and we are proud to support that work,” said Oceana Community Foundation CEO

Tammy Carey. “The Michigan Dyslexia Institute is honored to partner with the Oceana Community Foundation in launching this important initiative. By investing in both students and instructor training, they are creating an immediate opportunity for families while building a sustainable model of service that will strengthen Oceana County for years to come,” said Executive Director/CEO of the Michigan Dyslexia Institute Marsha Howell Chance.

The grant funding will expand access to high-quality, research-based intervention for community members with literacy difficulties. Supported by this grant, the project will provide both direct student services and the development of local instructional expertise to ensure long-term impact in the community.

Through this initiative, three students will receive fully funded scholarships for individualized Orton-Gillingham instruction, delivered twice weekly over a12-week period. These students, who may otherwise lack access due to geographic and financial barriers, will receive targeted, data-driven support designed to strengthen foundational reading skills and build confidence.

At the same time, the project will support the training of three Orton-Gillingham instructors as they complete a supervised practicum. Under mentorship by nationally certified experts, these instructors will refine their skills in lesson planning, instructional delivery, and data-based decision-making, preparing them to provide ongoing, high-quality literacy intervention within the community.

The overall goal of the project is to build sustainable local capacity while delivering immediate support to students in need. By the conclusion of the program, Oceana County will have three highly trained instructors ready to continue serving students with dyslexia, ensuring that access to effective intervention does not depend on location or income.

This work directly aligns with MDI’s mission to improve the lives of individuals with dyslexia through early identification, education, and research-based instruction. By investing in both students and educators, MDI is taking an important step toward closing the gap in literacy access in rural communities.

“Because of the Oceana Community Foundation, community members who have struggled to learn to read—often for years—will have access to the kind of specialized, one-on-one instruction they truly need. This is not just tutoring—it is carefully designed, research-based instruction that addresses the root causes of reading difficulty and builds the skills necessary for lasting success,” said Chance.

“As someone who has spent my career in education and calls this community home, it is incredibly meaningful to help bring these services to local families,” said Ramseyer.

The community foundation awards grants through a competitive application and review process twice a year. Information on these grant rounds and how to apply can be found here.

The Michigan Dyslexia Institute (MDI), a nonprofit founded in 1982 by Kay Howell and the late John Howell, provides instruction, training, and resources focused on dyslexia. MDI offers Orton-Gillingham–based instruction, diagnostic testing, professional learning for educators and individuals, and tools to increase understanding of dyslexia. For more information, call (517) 234-4759 or visit www.dyslexia.net.

In addition to the dyslexia center, the former grocery store space will house Lakeshore Food Club, Stella’s Coffeehouse, Michigan Works West Central and Mid Michigan Community Action Agency.

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