As we surpass the one-year mark of the pandemic, we take a whirlwind look back at Read Alliance’s response through the voices of those who led, participated in, and sustained our important work. READ’s program provides an effective and elegant solution to the academic, economic, and socio-emotional needs of children and teens in communities which have been hardest hit by the pandemic. Our commitment to continue to deliver on our mission never wavered, and we approach the next year with the same determination and drive that helped us thrive during a most uncertain and unpredictable twelve months.
 “We’ve been an anchor and … a landmark for [Teen Leaders] to connect with during a period of time when there’s very little connection.”
- Danielle Guindo, Read Alliance Executive Director and a PIX11 "Remarkable Woman" as recognized during Women's History Month, March 2021
Spring 2020:
When Everything Stopped, Read Alliance Kept Going
READ provided meaningful and engaging programming for Teen Leaders so they could continue to earn, while learning, even when their jobs with Read Alliance as individual reading tutors were suspended due to the school closure. Between March and July 2020, READ Teen Leaders were compensated for their participation in more than a total of 4,000 hours of enrichment and supportive programming. Simultaneously, READ convened an Innovation Committee comprised of expert thought leaders, partners, and board advisors to assist in devising a plan to transform Read Alliance’s effective one-to-one tutoring program for delivery online.

“I was very concerned on several levels. School is also day care for many students and given that many parents would likely be called into service…as well as others losing their jobs, would the disruption in the students' lives make learning a lesser priority? Would there be a place to learn and tools in the home if that was where learning was to happen?"
– Dr. Marcia Cantarella, READ Board member and Chair of READ's Advisory Council, higher education consultant, and author of I CAN Finish College: How to Overcome any Obstacle and Get Your Degree Guide
“I was amazed by the depth of talent and expertise that was quickly pulled together in advisors. After several meetings Read Alliance had a solution and they were off and running. What an amazing effort and gift for these young people to be able to connect and learn together.”
- Dr. Kim Flores, Co-Founder and CEO of Algorhythm, Member of READ's Advisory Council and Innovation Committee member
Summer 2020:
Providing the Brightness of Connection

READ piloted a virtual tutoring summer program, serving more than 100 children in Kindergarten, first and second grades from all five boroughs, most of whom had received little or no live instruction since March. READ employed 74 Teen Leaders as early literacy tutors during a summer when the youth unemployment rate was twice that of a year earlier and higher than it had been since the Great Depression.
“I remember when I was a kid, I was in their shoes. I used to struggle a lot. I had reading issues; now I’m giving back to my community,”
- Teen Leader Phradiep B., as quoted in a PIX11 segment on READ’s pivot to virtual programming
“[When the pandemic hit] It was a shock. It was overwhelming because [my granddaughter] is used to going to school every day and seeing her friends every day, and everything just stopped...Read Alliance helped her to learn how to stretch out and sound out the words and that’s a great help. I was so grateful for [this] program.”
- Vanessa W., guardian of a Read Alliance student
Teen Leadership development continued throughout the summer, culminating in the Second Annual Youth Summit, featuring nine workshops including "Let Your Passion Lead Your Purpose," "Branding Yourself in the Digital Age" and "Of Stocks and Wealth," among others.

“This is not an organization that shut down, wobbled or was at sea. Instead, it came up with a remote program that actually worked. It was proven out very quickly in a pilot phase and rolled out this fall just as schools needed it the most.”
- Mark Moore, Partner at Reavis Page Jump LLP, READ Board Member and Chair of the board’s Governance and Nominating Committee
Fall 2020:
Zooming Ahead with a Virtual One-to-One Model
Following the successful summer pilot, READ launched its virtual school year program, serving more than 100 children throughout the fall and employing more than 70 teens.
Teen Leadership programming continued to complement teens’ meaningful (and safe) work experience with workshops hosted throughout the fall by partners such as KeyBank on topics ranging from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to the importance of self-care.
"Read Alliance was a lifeline. It provided that most immediate touch for our neediest students. Those students needed that one-to-one connection, that sense of ‘I’m with you no matter what.’ Otherwise we would have lost those students academically.”
- Kristina Beecher, Principal, PS3K in Brooklyn
READ celebrated its 20th Anniversary Gala virtually on November 2nd, honoring Patrick Ramsey, READ Board Member and Global Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, BofA Securities, Inc.; and Customers Bank President & CEO Richard Ehst and his wife, Angela Ehst. The Virtual Gala raised more than $1.2 million, more than any other Gala in Read Alliance history. The anniversary also recognized the contributions of Read Alliance’s early visionaries and champions, including the organization’s founders and former executive staff leaders.
"READ remains the same...organization singularly focused on its mission to serve the tutors and the students. This...singular focus [has] not changed and [is] admirable. This speaks to the people in the organization, its culture and its priorities."
- Patrick Ramsey, READ Board Member and Global Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, BofA Securities, Inc., and 20th Anniversary Gala Honoree

“The program that [Read Alliance has] developed and executed over the last twenty years is world-class, and I’m proud to be associated with it.”
- Richard Ehst, Customers Bank President and CEO, and 20th Anniversary Gala Honoree
Winter 2021:
Combating COVID Slide with Literary Gains
Virtual school-year programming continued, with READ enrolling another 100 children in regular virtual literacy intervention programming after school. Early evaluations indicate that participants’ reading skills improved at a consistent rate to in-person programming.

“I love this program! My kids could have fallen behind on reading this year with remote learning. But this program saved them. Amazing!” 
Teen Leadership development also continued, with partner Penguin Random House leading a series of sessions introducing careers in publishing.

“I'm planning to use what I learned today as I engage with my writing and possibly publish my own books in the future.”
- Jada T., Teen Leader
Since March 2020, Read Alliance has enrolled more than 400 striving readers, and employed nearly 350 teens as tutors or in our Teen Leadership programs – across all five boroughs. 

“When this whole coronavirus started I did not know how to read. Read Alliance taught me how to read. That’s why I like it.”
- Gadiel R., second grade striving reader

"[Read Alliance] has been part of my journey to adulthood...It’s a wonderful community of Teen Leaders. We take care of each other.”
- Muzan O., Teen Leader

We thank you for your support throughout this journey, and we hope you will remain in partnership with us as we boldly take on all that comes next!
Read Alliance is a 501c(3) non-profit and donations are fully tax-deductible. Tax-ID 13-4091062