That's a Wrap

Where did the time go? We wrapped up the 2022-2023 school year in the best way, celebrating with Kona Ice and Reading Mentors gifting books to their students to read over the summer.
Speaking of our Reading Mentors, our year-end survey shows that nearly 95 percent of our Reading Mentors agree they are helping to improve their student’s reading ability. And 96 percent agree that they positively influence their student’s attitudes toward reading while they develop relationships with their students. Many thanks to the Reading Mentors who completed the survey and congratulations to Nancy Faulkner who won tickets to Boulevardia! If you're a Reading Mentor and haven't completed the survey, there's still time! Click here to get started.

Thanks to our school partners and Reading Mentors who made the year a success. You can see more year-end celebration photos on our Facebook page.

Want to join the fun in the fall? Visit our website to learn how.
Summer Tutoring

Thanks to Lead to Read KC and Hoot Reading, kids will keep reading this summer. Tutoring sessions will be held at the YMCA, the Upper Room and the Boys and Girls Club of Kansas City. Students will receive online personalized instruction from an experienced, certified classroom teacher. The intensive tutoring program provides measurable results in just 15 one-to-one lessons.

Click here for recent data showing the outstanding impact of our tutoring program.
Get Schooled is at Capacity

All we can say is WOW! Get Schooled: Building Dreams is at capacity! We can’t wait to see everyone at Union Station on June 9. 

Didn’t get a ticket? You can still help build dreams:


  • Check out our Super Silent Auction opening on June 2! Place your bids on Taylor Swift tickets, signed Patrick Mahomes memorabilia, a classroom or home office makeover and more! Don't wait. Register today!

  • Make a donation. Lead to Read KC has diversified its programming to serve more students in new and necessary ways. Your support is vital to our success – and theirs.
Wherever kids may be waiting, they could be reading! That’s why Lead to Read KC has more than 50 Reading is EverywhereSM book distribution sites across the Kansas City area. This month we look at our transitional housing partners:


Transitional housing refers to a temporary accommodation meant to bridge the gap from homelessness to permanent housing by offering structure, supervision, support, life skills, and in some cases, education and training, and that’s where Lead to Read KC comes in.

We are currently providing free books and Tips for Raising a Reader magnets to the six organizations, and this summer, we’ll be offering family engagement programming at Hillcrest, Sheffield Place, River of Refuge and Rose Brooks. We aim to help parents and guardians support their children’s literacy journey outside of school.

We are grateful for our transitional housing partnerships and all of our Reading is EverywhereSM partners, helping us build a stronger community of readers.
Photos: Newhouse KC's Chief Operations Officer, Mary Huff and Sheffield Place's Clinical Supervisor, Shelby Hansard.
Learn how you can help replenish our bookshelves and get book into the hands of children across Kansas City.
JOIN THE FUN | Boulevardia is coming up soon, and our volunteers will be selling beers at the Washington Square Park Bar from 1:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 17. All tips benefit our programs. Hope to see you there!

FORE(!) THE KIDS | Lead to Read KC is a beneficiary of the Brookside Charter School 2023 Golf Tournament on Monday, June 19, at the Blue Hills Country Club. Registration opens at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon The registration deadline is June 14. Gather your foursome and register your team today to help keep Brookside Charter’s students reading on grade level.

SITE COORDINATOR SHOUTOUTS | Get to know Carolyn Faenger, Bridget Logan and Robin Anderson! And be sure to follow our social media to meet the rest of our Site Coordinators all summer.

MORE READING MENTORS NEEDED | New schools are already requesting our Reading and Mentoring Program for the 2023-2024 school year. Help us fill their classrooms with new Reading Mentors! It's the easiest, most meaningful volunteer opportunity in Kansas City. Apply today!

SECOND SATURDAY SORTING | Are you or someone you know looking for a fun, easy weekend volunteer opportunity? Help Lead to Read KC sort and process book donations at our office in the Nonprofit Village the second Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Sign up here!
12 years of creating a community of readers, one lunch hour at a time.