Youth Reading
We focus on building literacy, identity, and belonging for youth in low-income neighborhoods.
Our Youth Reading initiative targets more than just test scores. We focus on building literacy,
identity, and belonging for youth in low-income neighborhoods. We create reading spaces that
are culturally responsive and trauma-informed — where children see themselves in stories, feel
safe to express their voice, and are paired with mentors who look like them. This is not your standard after-school program — we combine reading with storytelling, creative writing, art, and community discussions to help young readers develop critical thinking, empathy, and leadership. We’re changing the narrative for youth who are often labeled as “behind” — and
proving that when literacy is personal, it becomes powerful.