Ready Readers

PREPARES LOW-INCOME, YOUNG CHILDREN TO BE READY TO READ UPON ENTERING KINDERGARTEN.

IN 2022-23, READY READERS ENGAGED MORE THAN 14,700 CHILDREN IN 1,095 CLASSROOMS IN STORY TIMES AND OTHER EARLY LITERACY PROGRAMMING DESIGNED TO BUILD AND STRENGTHEN EARLY LITERACY FOUNDATIONS, ENGAGE CHILDREN IN VALUABLE DISCUSSION EXPERIENCES, AND DEVELOP STRONG, TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH TRAUMA-INFORMED ADULTS. WE TRAINED AND SUPPORTED 240+ VOLUNTEER READERS WHO CONNECTED WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTERS AND SCHOOLS IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE ST. LOUIS METRO REGION AND DISTRIBUTED 131,000+ HIGH QUALITY NEW BOOKS TO CHILDREN AND TEACHERS. OUR VOLUNTEERS READ HIGH-QUALITY CHILDREN'S BOOKS EVERY WEEK FOR 30 MINUTES TO A CLASSROOM OF YOUNG CHILDREN. THE READER VISITS THE SAME CLASSROOM AT THE SAME TIME EACH WEEK, FORMING STRONG BONDS WITH THE CHILDREN, THE TEACHERS, AND THE CENTER. IN ADDITION TO WEEKLY READING SESSIONS, EACH CHILD RECEIVES 6-7 HIGH-QUALITY, NEW BOOKS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. SINCE 2020, PROGRAMMING HAS BEEN OFFERED VIRTUALLY WHEN NEEDED, AND DELIVERY METHODS WERE MODIFIED FOR CLASSROOMS WITH LIMITED TECHNOLOGY ACCESS.READY READERS ALSO GIVES THE CLASSROOM TEACHERS THE SAME 6-7 BOOKS, WITH STORYTIME ACTIVITIES TO INCORPORATE LITERACY THROUGHOUT THEIR CURRICULUM. READY READERS PROVIDES STATE-APPROVED, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS PARTICIPATING IN THE STORYTIME PROGRAM, AS WELL AS OTHER CENTERS AND LOCATIONS (EX: COMMUNITY COLLEGES, EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES, ETC.). ADDITIONALLY, READY READERS WORKS WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO OFFER FREE, LITERACY-BASED FIELD TRIPS TO THE CLASSROOMS IN OUR STORYTIME PROGRAM. READY READERS ALSO PARTNERS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO REACH PARENTS AND FAMILIES MORE DIRECTLY AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH INCREASED ACCESS TO BOOKS AND LITERACY RESOURCES. IN 2023, READY READERS SUCCESSFULLY PILOTED A NEIGHBORHOOD READING CAPTAINS PROGRAM IN THE ST. LOUIS WEST END NEIGHBORHOOD. NEIGHBORHOOD READING CAPTAINS ARE TRAINED AND COMPENSATED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO PROVIDE TRUSTED RESOURCES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND EVENTS TO STRENGTHEN THE FOUNDATION OF LITERACY IN HOMES. BY THE END OF FY24, WE ANTICIPATE THE PROGRAM WILL RECRUIT, TRAIN AND EMPLOY NEIGHBORHOOD READING CAPTAINS AND ENGAGE FAMILIES IN 3-4 NEIGHBORHOODS. AREAS OF SERVICE WILL CONTINUE TO BE IDENTIFIED BASED ON NEIGHBORHOOD NEED, ASSETS, AND IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S ADVISORY COUNCIL.