Does October get you in the spirit for warm (maybe pumpkin flavored) beverages, cozy sweatshirts, and making more time for reading? Me too. You should see my to-be read stack!
Through incredible community support, we are currently approaching 1,600 volunteers across 30 schools. Every week, you, our Reading Mentors, bring the joy of reading to students, build their reading confidence, and deepen your standing as a community member that really cares.
In addition to your support, 1,400 students will be receiving highly effective, one-on-one tutoring with certified tutors, further strengthening their literacy skills. But it doesn’t stop there. Thanks to our Reading Is Everywhere program, students are taking home books from 70 locations across Kansas City, including barbershops, laundromats, and social service agencies. We’re making sure that books are accessible wherever families spend their time.
In addition to reading with our Mentors, deepening skills with our Tutors and grabbing a new book at the coffee shop, we are also kicking off a new season of our Author Partnership program. We are thrilled to introduce this year’s Author Partners: Chris Goode, founder of Ruby Jean’s Juicery, Nikiyah Crosdale, Kristen Heath, and Vladimir Sainte. These local authors visit classrooms for interactive read-alouds centered around physical, mental and emotional wellness, building those necessary skills alongside a deepened love of learning.
While we are so thrilled with our impact and grateful for your support, there are still some students waiting for a mentor. If you are able to drive to Primitivo Garcia, Citizens of the World, Frontier School of Innovation, Guadalupe Centers, Hogan Prep Academy. KIPP Endeavor Academy and James Elementary over your lunch hour, please consider being a mentor at one of these schools with the highest need for volunteers.
All of these accomplishments and goals are only possible with you, our Lead to Read KC community. Together, we’re empowering the next generation of readers and leaders in Kansas City!
Rhea Muchalla LeGrande
Executive Director
Lead to Read KC