Our Mission
Lead to Read KC mobilizes the community to solve the literacy crisis by connecting students with reading mentors, resources, and unwavering support.
Donate
Progress is possible and it starts with you. By supporting Lead to Read KC, you’re helping rewrite Kansas City’s literacy story, one reader at a time. Together, we can turn today’s tough headlines into tomorrow’s success stories.
Why We're Needed
Reading is the foundation for all other learning and is essential for a future workforce.
Grade when students switch from learning to read to reading to learn
%
Students in KC public and charter schools reading proficiently by the end of third grade*
Likelihood of dropping out of high school if you can't read by third grade
%
Youth in the juvenile justice system that are functionally illiterate
*Source: SchoolSmartKC
What We Do
We are the boots on the ground with four key programs that directly impact students by providing:
- Reading mentoring for students in first through third grade who attend high-need schools
- High-dosage, one-to-one tutoring by certified, experienced teachers
- More than 85 free community book distribution sites to encourage reading outside of school
- Mental health and wellness support via author partnerships and school visits
For More Information
We invite you to explore our full website to learn more about our partners, organization updates and more!