October Updates | Lead to Read KC

We’re thrilled that nearly 1,000 Reading Mentors have been paired with students in elementary schools across Kansas City. But we still have students who are waiting for a Reading Mentor, and we need you to join in the fun. Read more about our program and sign up today!

For those of you already reading with us, congratulations on becoming a Reading Mentor! You are an important person in your student's life. Please make every effort to attend your reading session each week; your student is counting on you.

If you have to miss a session, please send a personal note letting your student know about your absence. You can send it to your Site Coordinator who will get it to your student (kids LOVE receiving personal notes). And if attending each week becomes a challenge, think about someone in your life who could share your student with you, and let your Site Coordinator know.

The magic of 15

Did you know that students spend 80 percent of their waking hours outside of school? So, encouraging children to read at home is an important part of helping them become strong readers. And who can better motivate children to read than Patrick Mahomes? Through Read for 15, a literacy initiative from the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, Mahomes is doing just that.

The concept is simple: Mahomes is encouraging children to read for 15 minutes every day outside of school. Children and parents/guardians sign a pledge on the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation website under Programs. The program goal is to help all kids develop a love of reading and become proficient readers.

“I want kids to know that reading is cool and an important part of education," Mahomes said. "Read for 15 promotes the benefits of reading and introduces students to great books.”

Lead to Read KC is launching Read for 15 at 15 Kansas City partner schools. We will be distributing swag and books to help keep kids motivated.

Rockhurst High School and Shawnee Mission East High School football teams are also getting in the game. The two teams joined forces this fall to support Read for 15 with book drives. Lead to Read KC will distribute the books to students participating in the program.

Photo collage of the Lead to Read KC author partners in action.

Author! Author!

Lead to Read KC believes in “Reading For Life,” and we are using our literacy platform to promote positive mental health strategies, health and wellness.

To support student’s social-emotional learning, we’re thrilled to be partnering with four local authors, Nikiyah Crosdale, Kristen Heath, Vladimir Sainte and Tony Temple. They will be sharing their stories of positive thinking, inclusivity and kindness, coping with big emotions and wellness in mind, body and spirit in our partner schools throughout the fall.

Read more about Reading For Life

Join our team

Lead to Read KC is looking for a Director of Development. This is a full-time leadership position responsible for fundraising and development activities for the organization. Experienced candidates preferred. If you know of a seasoned development pro, let us know!

Learn more about the position

Get ready for Get Schooled: Building Dreams, our annual fundraiser. Join us at Union Station Friday, June 9, for a night of dreams, food and fun. Details coming in 2023!

Wherever kids may be waiting, they could be reading! That’s why Lead to Read KC has dozens of Reading is Everywhere^SM Book Distribution sites across the Kansas City area. This month we take a look at Draque’s Barbershop.

Located on West 39th Street, Draque’s has been serving the heart of Kansas City for more than a decade. And when we say serve, it’s more than serving up a great haircut – it’s about serving the community. Owner Draque Murff recently started his own nonprofit to support urban youth so having a Lead to Read KC Book Basket in his shop was a natural fit.

“Supporting literacy and giving back to the community is important to me,” Murff said. “I support Lead to Read KC's efforts to provide free, high quality books to children, and reading support to families in my neighborhood.”

We love our community partners. Do you know an organization we could partner with —

to either receive a book donation or help us distribute books? Contact Linda Hughes, Program Manager Community Outreach.

Reading is the key to all other learning and critical for economic well being. Check out our blog to learn more about the relationship between reading and earning power.