Reading Power Kicks Off 19th Year of One-to-One Tutoring In-Person
LAKE COUNTY, IL, September 27, 2021, Reading Power staff and volunteer tutors kicked off the 2021-2022 program year on Monday, September 20th at LEARN 6 and LEARN 10, Tuesday, September 21st at Oakdale School in Waukegan, and in October at Greenbay Early Childhood Center. After more than a year of virtual and hybrid tutoring, the smiles, laughter, and connections made in person are invaluable.
During the pandemic, the literacy needs of at-risk students Reading Power serves rapidly grew. School closures and low engagement in virtual learning were added barriers to learning. Low-income, minority families were hardest hit economically and socially by COVID 19. Students are now even further behind than ever.
Statistics show us the devastation that results from not being able to read proficiently can be. Two-thirds of children who cannot read proficiently by the end of 3rd grade will end up in jail or on welfare. More than 80 percent of the incarcerated population is made up of high school dropouts. Financially, the average high school dropout costs society $292,000 throughout their lives. The cost of not providing early intervention is devasting. The need is urgent.
The good news is that Reading Power is a part of the solution. Research shows that the kind of one-to-one support Reading Power provides students is a proven catalyst for accelerated learning. Reading Power can provide young children the reading intervention they need for $2,000 per student each year. But our work is not done, and we NEED YOUR help. Please visit our website to donate or learn more about becoming a volunteer tutor.
About Reading Power
Since 2003, Lake County based nonprofit Reading Power has provided literacy tutoring to 0ver 4,100 children in prekindergarten through second grade in North Chicago, Waukegan, and Zion, Illinois. More than 250 professionally trained volunteers provide one-to-one tutoring for children, helping them accelerate their literacy gains, develop confidence, and embrace a love of reading and writing that lasts a lifetime.