An opportunity to make a difference

The need for Read Ahead has never been more urgent, so we are proud to launch a brand new, completely virtual program for the 2020-21 school year. 

With new technology platforms and an educator-designed curriculum, Read Ahead is leveraging our 30 years of experience to match children with supportive mentors for fun, live weekly sessions that build connection, confidence, literacy skills, and more. 

The Read Ahead Opportunity Fund was launched in September 2020 with an ambitious goal to make this new program possible. Every dollar contributed allows us to invest in the curriculum, technology, and resources we need to launch this completely new virtual program. I am personally matching donations up to $25,000, so the impact of your gift will go even further. 

A school year like no other

The 2020-21 school year is uniquely challenging for children, families, and school communities. 

Over 80% of New York City public school children are unlikely to set foot inside a school building this year. 

Remote learning means that children are receiving limited live instruction from teachers and are socially isolated from classmates and friends.

Children have already lost months of learning and reading skills during the pandemic - one recently published report finds that children are, on average, 1.5 months behind in reading relative to where they would be in a typical year.

Most experts agree that the learning loss will be far greater for many children.  This loss is especially acute for schools that serve low-income communities of color, like those with which Read Ahead partners.

We can’t do this without you

Read Ahead has been innovating and moving quickly to launch our virtual program for this year.

We’re finding creative ways to reach families directly, and working collaboratively with hundreds of teachers and administrators across our eight partner schools in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.

We have invested in new technology platforms, an educator-designed literacy curriculum, and added staff capacity to make our program successful. 

Read Ahead is fueled by a generous community of supporters.

Your investment in our Opportunity Fund will provide essential resources that will allow us to continue to connect children with caring mentors. Together, we can provide weekly one-on-one literacy and social-emotional learning support for 750 amazing kids and ensure that the challenges of this school year don’t limit their opportunity to reach their full potential.

Thank you for your support!