School is back in session, and Lead to Read KC is ready to help students build brighter futures.

Students need reading and mentoring support now more than ever, and with 24 partner schools asking for help, we are recruiting hundreds of volunteers. Our Reading Mentors read with students in high-need elementary schools for 30 minutes once a week. In-person and virtual volunteer opportunities are available. 

Reading sessions start in mid-September so let's go! If you volunteered last year, email Hayley your preferred reading session. New to our program? Learn more and apply.

With our army of Reading Mentors, our continued tutoring partnership with HOOT Reading and you, 2022-2023 will be the best year yet.
Reading Is Everywheresm

Reading Is Everywheresm, and and that's why Lead to Read KC is showing up in some unusual places: at an urban farm, on the street car and buzzing around a bee farm. Wherever we go, you can catch us doing read aloud story times and giving away lots of books. 

Did you know school-aged children spend 80 percent of their waking hours outside of school? As part of our Reading is Everywhere℠ Book Distribution Initiative, we have handed out more than 3,000 books to children and families at festivals and events across Kansas City -- plus at our community partner locations. Thank you to our partners and everyone who makes our book giveaways possible. 

You never know where we might pop up next. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay informed.
Summer Fun, (left to right): Reading on the Kansas City Street Car, strolling through Young Family Farm, juicing it up at Ruby Jeans, books, books, books at The Borough Food Hall.
Happy Hour fun

We work hard but we also play hard. A big thank you to Ludo's Shuffleboard Bar for hosting a fun-filled Happy Hour for us on Aug. 16! And a shout out to our volunteers and community partners who were able to join us. Thank you, Kansas City, for your support! 
Let's take it outside

Show your support of children’s literacy, and help us recruit more volunteers by displaying a Lead to Read KC sign in your yard. Drop an email to communications@leadtoreadkc.org to request your sign today. And many thanks to our friends who are helping to spread the word.
Lead to Read KC is now a designated United Way organization! And that means every dollar of your donation will come directly to us! Enter our number – 388 – on the donor-directed pledge form.
SESSIONS START IN MID-SEPTEMBER | If you volunteered last year, email Hayley your preferred reading session. New to our program? Learn more and apply.

WE'RE HIRING | Want to play a role in helping young students catch up and keep up? Looking for a meaningful, flexible part-time position? This could be the job for you. Learn more.

CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY | Are you a September birthday? Click here to find out how to celebrate with Lead to Read KC.

IN THE NEWS | Listen to our interview on Up To Date and find out how you can help the children we serve. Know someone who would make a great Reading Mentor? Please share the link.

STAY UP TO DATE | Follow Lead to Read KC on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
11 years of creating a community of readers, one lunch hour at a time.