To teach a child to read is to lay the foundation for a future full of potential.
Through reading, children can imagine and then pursue incredible new possibilities for themselves. They can build empathy for experiences outside their own. They can find connection in their own communities and in the wider world.
In short, a future built on literacy is a brighter future for all.
But right now, right here in Colorado, we face a critical challenge. Only 38% of Colorado’s 4th graders are reading proficiently. And that number plummets to below 20% for students from low-income communities and students of color.
Together, we can change that.
Last school year, with the dedicated support of more than 700 volunteers, 86% of Reading Partners Colorado’s students in grades K-4 achieved their individualized literacy goal, the foundation for boundless futures–academically, professionally, and beyond.
Chances are, you already know the far-reaching importance of reading. You hope for a future where kids don’t fall through the cracks. You have experienced the immense joy and fulfillment that reading brings. And most importantly, you are eager to make a difference in the lives of 600 emerging young readers in the Denver metro area.
Your gift today is a critical building block in creating a future led by inquisitive, compassionate, and innovative young minds. Join us today in building a brighter future, in which all of Colorado's youth have the opportunity to thrive.
"My Reading Partners tutor gave me the patience I needed. In our weekly one-on-one sessions, she focused on me as a student and as a human being. She respected me and actually got to know me. She made reading fun." - Emily, Reading Partners alum
"During the program, we saw a measurable increase in Emily’s reading abilities. She gained confidence in herself. And then she just flourished after that. I’m fully convinced that Emily is where she is because of Reading Partners." - Stacey McDole, board member and Emily's mother
"It was kind of hard at first and then I persevered and I got better. Like hard words, I got to spell out. " - Ava'Ya, 2nd grade student
"I like to read. I got better. I couldn’t find books at my level and they were hard, but now it’s not really that hard. I like Dogman and Naruto books." - Zyler, 4th grade student
"My student said, 'I told my Mom I can read now!'" - Ann, volunteer tutor
"My student used to say 'I can't read' and 'I don't like tutoring.' By springtime, he ran up and hugged me for our sessions. When he found out he was going to be moving, he said tutoring is one of the things he would miss most." - Masami, volunteer tutor
"Reading Partners is a vital part of our Samuels community and has been for the last nine years. Each year, the work Reading Partners has done to support our children on their individual journeys has contributed to meeting our literacy goals." - Cesar Rivera, principal of Samuels Elementary
Reading Partners' mission is to help children become lifelong readers by empowering community volunteers to provide individualized instruction that produce measurable results. Our vision is that all children will have the literacy skills they need to reach their full potential.
Since Reading Partners' founding in 1999 by a group of community volunteers in California, we have grown from a local Bay Area organization to a national organization serving over 11,000 elementary school students in more than 200 schools in economically disadvantaged communities across nine states and the District of Columbia. Reading Partners recruits and trains dedicated community volunteers to provide one-on-one literacy tutoring to students who have fallen behind their peers in grade level reading proficiency.
In 2012, Reading Partners expanded to Colorado thanks to an Early Literacy Social Innovation Fund grant through Mile High United Way. This fund was launched with an award from the Corporation for National Community Service. After a competitive process, Reading Partners was selected as a sub-grantee for funding based on its national track record of improving reading proficiency for students using rigorous data evaluation.
The Reading Partners' model is backed by evidence-based research that shows our students make significant, high impact gains in reading while enrolled in our program. By providing students with the necessary resources to unlock and develop the foundational skills they need to succeed in reading and in life, Reading Partners is changing the trajectory of children's lives in our local school communities.
Organization name
Reading Partners
other names
RPCO
2001
Tax id (EIN)
77-0568469
Category
Education
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
3895 Upham Street Suite 150Headquarters
638 3rd StreetDenver County, CO, US
Jefferson County, CO, US
Adams County, CO, US