Lead to Read KC Reports Widespread Program Growth

Kansas City, MO, July 9, 2024— Lead to Read KC, a literacy non-profit dedicated to fostering a love of reading and improving literacy skills in children, today announced significant growth across all its programs. This surge reflects the organization’s unwavering commitment to equip early elementary students with the foundational skills necessary for academic success and lifelong achievement.

Highlights of Lead to Read KC’s program successes from the 2023-24 academic year: 

• 37% more students were paired with Reading Mentors translating to more than 27,000 one-to-one mentoring sessions
• 51% more students attended author visits translating to more than 1,702 children who benefitted from the positive mental health strategies 
• 52% more students received high-dosage tutoring translating to more than 750 area children who were able to improve their reading skills
• 54% more books were distributed to the community translating to more than 34,000 reading materials in the hands of kids
• 89% of teachers and administrators survey respondents indicated they agree or strongly agree that Reading Mentors helped improve student reading abilities.
• 95% of volunteer Reading Mentors survey respondents reported they are satisfied or very satisfied with the reading sessions in which they participated

“The expanding reach of our programs is indicative of the increasing community investment and recognition of all avenues of literacy development,” said Rhea Muchalla LeGrande, Lead to Read KC’s Executive Director. “This growth also signifies the increasing demand for high-quality literacy support, and we are dedicated to meeting that need by offering one-to-one encouragement that helps students thrive.”

The organization is actively seeking up to 1,000 additional volunteers to cover current school requests, expansion at existing partner schools, and new school partners in the fall of 2024. The Reading and Mentoring Program will return to 28  schools in the metropolitan area and Lead to Read KC is strategically seeking volunteers for three new school partners. Anyone interested can learn more about how to get involved at leadtoreadkc.org. 

Lead to Read KC is a children's literacy nonprofit dedicated to supporting the social, emotional and reading skills that are foundational to student success. It does this by mobilizing community volunteers, called Reading Mentors, to read one-to-one with students attending high-need elementary schools across Kansas City, as well as through its tutoring program, its Reading Is EverywhereSM community book distribution initiative, and its author visit program.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Angela Pritchett
Communications Manager
Lead to Read KC
913.645.4780