Readers Are Leaders

FROM THE FOUNDER

Today in our fast-paced highly completive world, we face new and difficult challenges. We cannot neglect the skills and resources that our youth need to live fully, to contribute to the growth of our communities, and to tackle the demanding challenges of tomorrow.

The Readers Are Leaders program offers a path to success. This program creates opportunities for our young people to grow stronger academically, individually, and socially. The heart of the program is built upon a commitment to service. We have targeted elementary school kids who need a helping hand to develop as readers today so that they can become contributing citizens and leaders tomorrow. Our high school athletes are called upon to step into the role of mentors - a challenge that promotes understanding, develops character, reinforces the importance of academic success in their own lives, and enables them to better understand their power to influence others in positive ways. These athletes begin to see the value of community service as it brings out the best in them and as they bring out the best in their young partners.

Readers Are Leaders also builds a team that includes our generous sponsors as well as dedicated educators - reading specialists, coaches, teachers, and administrators - whose commitment and support have been essential in making the program the success that it has become. It is this kind of commitment and teamwork that allows us to set the bar higher for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year by involving female athletes for the first time; by involving more students, schools and community centers; and by seeking a broader base of community support. We are excited about the success and growth of the program and the benefits experienced by all members of our Readers Are Leaders team.

ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS

Readers Are Leaders provides opportunities for the growth and achievement. The program provides second through sixth grade at-risk students the support of mentors, who offer their friendship, patience, encouragement, and enthusiasm to improve the reading skills of these younger students.

Coaches involve their student-athletes in this program to present opportunities for these young men and women to grow individually and socially by being involved in challenges outside of the gym and by becoming role models and coaches, committed to helping struggling or unmotivated students to move up the academic ladder.

The program enlists the professional support of reading specialists, teachers and administrative staffs of each elementary school as well as the staff members of the participating community centers. With their assistance, our at-risk students are matched with an appropriate mentor. The mentors receive some initial training and are made aware of the other resources on their team.

Throughout the year, funds are used to provide incentives and free books for the elementary students, and each participating high school team receives a donation to support its sports program.

Last year (2007-08), Readers Are Leaders was proud to extend its commitment and reach a new height by touching the lives of 435 elementary and high school students.