Together we are creating a community of readers, one lunch hour at a time.

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Our Mission

To support the social, emotional and reading skills that are foundational for student success by mobilizing community volunteers to read with students in elementary schools.
Why? Fewer than half of Kansas City, Missouri third graders are reading on grade level. In many high-needs schools, it’s fewer than 25 percent. Children who are not reading by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. Lead to Read KC is addressing this challenge. Learn more >
Watch KMBC's recent story to see how Lead to Read KC Reading Mentors are making a difference and how easy it is to get involved!

How It Works

  1. School icon
    1. Identify schools and students in need of reading support and mentoring.
  2. Recruit mentors icon
    2. Recruit, train and pair Reading Mentors with students in grades K-3.
  3. GitHub icon
    3. Provide students with 30 minutes of one-to-one reading support and mentoring one lunch hour each week.

What's New

Read Our Latest Newsletter

 

Get Schooled

Our Get Schooled: Playing Hooky fundraiser was a success! We’re grateful to all the sponsors, donors, community partners, party hosts, and volunteers who were instrumental in helping us reach our fundraising goal. Thank you! 

You’re part of something special—you’re part of our community—and your support helps give children a brighter future.

Program Updates due to COVID-19

In preparation for the possibility of distance learning at our partner schools during the 2020-21 school year, this summer Lead to Read KC piloted a digital reading-based mentoring platform to supplement our in-school program with students at Brookside Charter School, Citizens of the World Kansas City and Crossroads Charter Schools. Click here for a sneak peek at our digital program! After the unexpected break from the classroom, students need a Reading Mentor’s support more than ever! And, we created a reading resource page to encourage students to read at home. 

Community Read-Aloud Keeps Kids Reading

To encourage children to keep reading while they’re away from the classroom, Lead to Read KC partnered with KMBC 9 News to create a community read-aloud video. Don’t miss Mayor Quinton Lucas and other Kansas City VIPs as they read a super-silly book!
 

Our Reach: 2019-20

58

classrooms served

9,067

hours of one-to-one reading support and mentorship provided

16

schools served

6,000+

books distributed

1,100+

students paired with a reading mentor
Learn more >

Blog

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