Raising Readers in Story County fills gaps for reading in Iowa thanks to the Cyclone MBB’s participation in the #Fight4Literacy presented by International Paper and Coaching for Literacy
Coaching for Literacy joined with the Iowa State Cyclones to host a #Fight4Literacy Game on 2.9.19 presented by International Paper. Together with the fans, Coaching for Literacy and International Paper were able to grant over $5,000 to Raising Readers in Story County and Grant Elementary School in Cedar Rapids. Read on to learn about how Raising Readers was about to put the grant money to good use.
Aluel’s parents are extremely hard-working but with no additional family in town, it can be challenging. The Harrison Barnes Reading Academy helps to provide Aluel with a caring literacy tutor after-school and in the summer months. Aluel’s mother, Mary expressed, “This program fills a gap for us and we are grateful for the added reading.”
Aluel has enriched her vocabulary thanks to organizations working together to support her literacy growth!
Raising Readers in Story County is a non-profit organization that partners with the Harrison and Brittany Barnes Community Foundation, Ames Public Library, and ASSET to offer free literacy tutoring to students in kindergarten through third grade. Trained volunteer tutors guide students through reading, writing, and word sort activities. Students are encouraged to read daily and earn incentives for reaching reading milestones.
Tera, a dedicated Site Supervise at Raising Readers, shares, “the books received from the Fight for Literacy Grant have helped me be able to offer a wider variety of books to my students.” She credits the Harrison Barnes Reading Academy for providing her with the opportunity to share her love of reading with her students.
76.7% of 139 students in the Harrison Barnes Reading Academy increased their reading level during the six-week summer program this year.
“With the Harrison Barnes Reading Academy program, Aluel has increased her comprehension which makes learning fun for her,” reports her mother. Mary went on to share that “having a tutor has also given Aluel the confidence to read and share her reading skills with a trusted audience.”
Students in the program receive gift books to keep and are able to borrow books from the Lending Library throughout the program to increase access to books and promote daily independent reading.
“We are able to provide the students with a book that they find interesting and are wanting to read, in turn helping to build up their love for reading,” Michaela says.
To serve as a volunteer and support student like Aluel, please visit the Raising Readers in Story County website at www.raising-readers.org
