VISION: Read Ahead’s vision is that our students have the opportunity to unlock their full potential through mentoring relationships based on a love of reading.
MISSION: Their reading-based mentoring develops in students the social-emotional skills essential for academic and life-long success.
VALUES: Students First | Relationships | Growth | Opportunity | Empowerment | Joy

As you know, COVID-19 has turned all of our systems on their heads, but the needs that those systems were striving to meet persist. Read Ahead has worked over the last few months to pivot to virtual programming, e-mentoring, and virtual volunteer opportunities. A critical component to the education access gap in NYC and across the country is access to technology — Read Ahead has helped to connect families to technology and other resources so that their students can continue to learn. 

So much has become unclear during the pandemic, with the year that we'll be running the marathon a teeny tiny example of that. Lotteries will determine which 2020-registered runners participate in the 2021, 2022, or 2023 marathons. But one thing that's remained clear throughout all of this is the importance of supporting Read Ahead's contributions to the NYC community and the difference their work can make in a student's life. 

+ Thank you so much for helping me reach my fundraising goal to support Read Ahead's valuable work in NYC public elementary schools! +

More on Read Ahead: Read Ahead, an organization that pairs over 1,000 New York City public school children with caring mentors who can help them develop the social-emotional skills essential for academic and life-long success.

Children need positive adult role models to thrive. Young people who are mentored — especially those challenged by poverty — are more likely to have better school attendance and participation, to develop the motivation and skills they need for success in school and in life, and to enroll in college. I decided to run on Team Read Ahead so that more students have an opportunity for mentorship.

Every dollar you donate has a direct impact on Read Ahead's ability to serve high-need schools in NYC.