We’re lucky to have two local literacy nonprofits, Reading Partners & 826 DC, dedicated to helping all kids in our area read and write well, empowering them to learn and succeed academically and in life. Reading Partners gives our children and teens skills to read and instills a love of reading, and 826 DC gives them the tools and nurtures their creativity so they can express themselves in writing.
Can You Read This?
We all know that “reading is fundamental,” but what does that actually mean? It means that literacy is the foundation of all successful learning. Without reading, students do not have the skills they need to be successful in school and in life. To put that into perspective, students who are not reading proficiently by the fourth grade are four times less likely to graduate from high school on time.
These facts remind us of the importance of encouraging reading in our homes, and supporting organizations like Reading Partners, a national literacy nonprofit with a chapter right here in the DMV. (You may recognize their name from our e-newsletters as they share a book recommendation monthly with Washington Parent readers.)
As of 2022, only a third of fourth graders from under-resourced D.C. communities could read proficiently, and the majority of these students are children of color. Reading Partners works to address this drastic inequality by enlisting community volunteers, like you, to become reading tutors. Reading Partners DC’s tutors work individually with identified students once a week within DC Public Schools, charter schools and community centers for measurable results. Last year alone, 88% of these students met or exceeded their primary literacy growth goal.
“We know that our work is making a measurable impact,” says Executive Director of Reading Partners DC, Barry Brinkley. “Students write about how Reading Partners changed their lives in their college essays.”
Longtime tutor and current board member Amy Dunbar can account for the impact it has on the volunteers as well. She says, “I have found nothing more rewarding than working with children who are grateful for the support and attention they receive. I love seeing the light bulb go off when it finally clicks. That is when the smiles are wide and the confidence grows, and the learning starts to accelerate exponentially.”
If you’re interested in helping a local student become a lifelong learner, reach out to Reading Partners DC today. Learn more here.
Children Have Important Things to Say!
If you’ve ever spent any time with a child, you know their thoughts and ideas can be incredibly profound. At 826DC, a local chapter in a national network, the idea that young people have important things to say is the foundation of their work. Operating from their writing center in Columbia Heights, and schools and community centers across the city, 826DC helps D.C. students strengthen their writing skills, share what matters to them and build a lifelong relationship with their writing. They work directly with students and offer resources to teachers to help inspire their students to write.
Their warm approach works. According to their latest student survey, 82% of 826DC students were proud of their writing – and 100% reported that 826DC helped them become better writers.
The atmosphere in 826DC’s workshops and writing labs is electric. Infusing fun and creativity into their programs keeps students engaged and inspired. At any given program, you can find students crafting platforms to run for “Kid President,” or writing plans for a zombie apocalypse. Whatever they are doing, fun is essential. What’s more, through their writing workshops and in-house printing press, students walk away with a published copy of their writing.
826DC is one of nine chapters in the 826 national network, which includes youth writing and publishing centers from coast to coast. Through digital resources and in-person programs, their network serves close to 350,000 students.
They don’t do it alone. 826DC is always looking for volunteers – committed members of the DC community who participate year-round as mentors, teachers and companions to brilliant young writers. With needs from revising sonnets to fine-tuning homework assignments, they will work with you to find opportunities that leverage your unique talents and empower their 2,500 students.
Want to support this great cause but don’t have time to spare? 826DC also runs the only magic shop in DC, Tivoli’s Astounding Magic Supply Co., located at their Columbia Heights writing center. One-hundred percent of proceeds support their work, so pick up a new party trick, grab a unique gift or illusion and browse their books published by their students.
Kendra Rubinfeld is the founder and co-principal at the communications firm
KRPR. working on communications, marketing and public relations with
clients in industries from classical music to organic farms. When not working
or attending a client’s play or concert, she’s spending time with her dog, cat,
five chickens and husband/business partner on their three-acre mini-farm in
the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
