Be a Literacy Hero, Gift the Superpower of Reading

Hello, friends and supporters!

As a proud Readers 2 Leaders Board Member, I’m excited to launch a personal fundraiser to support our mission of equipping students for success through the power of reading. At Readers 2 Leaders, we’re committed to ensuring that all students have equitable opportunities to thrive as both readers and leaders. With your help, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of the children we serve.

Why I’m Fundraising

Readers 2 Leaders' mission hits close to home for me, as my own child has faced significant challenges with reading and writing. After a dyslexia diagnosis in the fall of 2023, we were finally able to understand the root cause of classroom struggles and get connected with the right resources, and teaching methodologies, so that he could thrive as a reader and leader. Unfortunately, before the diagnosis, difficulties with literacy deeply affected his self-esteem, leaving him feeling inadequate and frustrated. Every day brought new challenges with homework, and as a parent, it was difficult to know how to best support him. His challenges really came into focus during first grade, when it was recommended that he repeat first grade and undergo the same curriculum, which was not a suitable solution for me as a parent and would have ultimately shifted the trajectory of his life.  Now, he is on track and thriving academically.

 The experience inspired my commitment to fundraising for Readers 2 Leaders, an organization that ensures students from all walks of life, have access to the literacy resources required to thrive in school and beyond. I believe literacy is a fundamental right, and through this organization, I am dedicated to helping children and families, facing similar challenges as our own, build the skills and confidence necessary to achieve lifelong success through the power of reading.

Facts & Figures

Since its founding in 2011, Readers 2 Leaders has provided services to 7,729 clients, including 6,852 students and 877 adults.

Current Goals:

Readers 2 Leaders aims to reach 1,500 students with reading programs in the 2024-25 school year and the summer of 2025, with the following objectives:

- 85% of students participate in 80% of sessions for 120 minutes of weekly instruction.

- 80% of students attain mastery of grade-appropriate foundational literacy skills.

- 75% of students meet or exceed their personalized end-of-year literacy growth goal as assessed by the MAP assessment tool.

- As part of its mission, the organization also plans to support 300 adults through coaching implementation and family reading cohort programs.

Our reading programs have demonstrated significant success. In the 2023-24 academic year, 87 percent of students, as measured by Renaissance Star, made tangible progress toward their reading goals.

A Fun Twist!

If I reach my goal, I’ll bring in a big batch of homemade gumbo and potato salad for the afternoon crew at Readers 2 Leaders. We can celebrate hitting our target and enjoy some Louisiana comfort food just in time for spooky season!

How You Can Help

Here’s how you can join me in making a difference:

• Donate: Your contribution, big or small, helps us get closer to our goal and supports a great cause.
• Share: Spread the word! Share this fundraiser with your friends, family, and networks to help us reach more people who believe in the power of reading.

Thank you so much for your support and generosity. Together, we can help students achieve their full potential through the magic of reading!