Education · Program No. 01
Literacy First Initiative.
The Literacy First Initiative provides tutoring, reading resources, and educational support to underserved children, youth, and families. Through community partnerships and volunteer mentors, the initiative promotes foundational literacy, lifelong learning, and greater access to opportunity.
Three ways in
Choose how you'll help a reader take root.
Tutoring & Mentoring
One-on-one and small-group tutoring with trained volunteer mentors — building reading confidence, study habits, and a love of learning that lasts.
Become a tutor →
Community Book Shares
Free books and reading resources placed directly into the hands of children and families through community partners, congregations, and neighborhood book shares.
Give books & resources →
Storytime & Family Reading
Gatherings where elders read aloud and families read together — passing down stories, strengthening bonds, and making literacy a shared tradition.
Join a gathering →Volunteer with us
Lend your time to a reader.
Choose mentoring, tutoring, or book sharing — tell us when you're available, and we'll match you with a reader or a community partner.
Why literacy first
Reading is the root of every other opportunity.
A child who reads confidently can learn anything else. Literacy opens the door to education, meaningful work, civic life, and the stories of one's own heritage — yet in too many underserved communities, books and patient reading support are out of reach.
Literacy First meets families where they are: in schools, congregations, and neighborhood gathering places. Every tutor hour, every donated book, and every story shared aloud is a seed planted toward a stronger, more rooted community.