While the temperatures might still be making some of us sweat, for me, it’s officially fall; leaves are turning hues of red, Halloween candy is tempting us from the shelves, and students across Kansas City are meeting their Reading Mentors. Every week, 1,400 members of our community – engineers, retired teachers, bankers, healthcare workers, and everyone in between, are taking 30 minutes over their lunch hours, once a week, to build a relationship, read a book, and make an incredibly positive difference in the literacy skills and life of a Kansas City kid.
We are celebrating this huge commitment from so many in our community. And, we’re still looking for more!
Being a reading mentor works and all of our school partners want more of what works in their classrooms and with their students.
“There are times when it is a struggle for me to motivate students to read. During Lead to Read time, that is never the case. I wish they could come more often!” – Mr. Diya Carr, Boone Elementary
Do you have a book group that can do this together? Is your company’s Employee Resource Group looking for a worthy cause to commit to? Have you and you bestie always said, “we should do something” and have just been waiting for the right thing? Well, being a Reading Mentor is the right thing. Time and time again our schools say students are more motivated to read after being part of Lead to Read KC, and our Reading Mentors can attest that it’s their favorite 30 minutes of their week.
If you’re already a Reading Mentor, thank you! Please invite your colleagues, friends, and community to be difference makers alongside you.
“It is honestly the best lunch hour you will ever experience!” – Janet Rickard, Reading Mentor
Here in Kansas City, leading looks like sitting down and reading a good book with a great kid. I’m so grateful to be leading alongside each of you.
Rhea Muchalla LeGrande
Executive Director
Lead to Read KC