We have over 25 years of experience helping at-risk, underserved children learn to read. Children now love reading because we have many fun and easy literacy programs. We also have on-site, remote, virtual, and even telephone and paper book options to provide educational equity because many children who live in low-income homes still lack reliable Internet access or access to a working computer.
 
The children love reading, while their teachers love that most students gain two years of academic progress in one school year.  
 
We also improve local economies. Research studies have found that for every one percent gain in reading scores at a school, the local economy improves by an equivalent percentage.  
 
When schools improve reading scores by 12%, high school graduation rates improve by 10%, and crime drops by 20%.  
 
The opioid epidemic has significantly impacted communities across the nation. The community risks for opioid overdoses are highly correlated with education. Improving the reading scores and helping children gain the foundational skills necessary to graduate from college reduces the dangers of opioid overdoses by 93%. No existing treatment program is more effective than preventing the problem by helping children learn to read.
 
Education levels are highly correlated with obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and other health risks. Increasing reading proficiency helps reduce obesity by a factor of three to four.  
 
Our national security is currently at risk due to children's low reading proficiency levels nationwide. The "Mission Readiness" organization comprises 300 retired military generals, admirals, and other senior military officers. Their top concern for national security is early childhood reading. Last year was the first time in recent history that our military organizations could not recruit sufficient military candidates to replace the number of troops retiring from military service. Over 71% of all candidates ages 17-24 were ineligible for military service. They could not pass a simple reading and math test, or had another disqualifying issue from the list of problems correlated to reading that were mentioned above.  
 
We also train older adults to serve as volunteer reading tutors/mentors for children. These programs have significantly helped the children and keep our older adults healthy. Researchers have found that when older adults volunteer, it prevents many health problems caused by senior social isolation. Senior social isolation has health risks that are even worse than smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The risk of a heart attack is also 4 times higher. Our senior volunteers tell us they are having fun and consider it the best part of their day.  
 
Several years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down many schools and disrupted educational programs, and children who were already far below grade level fell even further behind. Even now, reading scores for the at-risk children have not improved. They have dropped to their lowest level in 32 years. These supplemental reading programs are essential for helping these children catch up and have a brighter future.  

Your donation will make a real difference in children living in disadvantaged communities who need books, educational materials, remote volunteers who can help them online or by phone, and so many other essential resources.

Together, we can help children succeed and thrive. Join us today and be a catalyst for change. Together, we can build a brighter future for all.

Thank you for your generosity and support.