YMCA Reads

The mission of YMCA Reads is to enable at-risk and disadvantaged children in Kindergarten through third-grade, regardless of their race, economic status, or capabilities, to increase their reading skills through structured after-school reading instruction and mentoring.

YMCA Reads is after-school reading remediation and mentoring program where at-risk and low-income children in Kindergarten through third-grade develop the reading skills they need to succeed in school.

This early intervention program improves students’ reading skills through mentoring and the use of a research-based, data-driven curriculum. It also helps students achieve or maintain satisfactory school attendance and behavior, both essential ingredients to school success.

The YMCA Reads program successfully closes the achievement gap in students’ reading performance with structured curricula delivered by well-trained mentors. The YMCA Reads the program provides differentiated reading instruction to students through small group tutoring/mentoring. Mentoring enhances academic achievement through relationship building and increased academic self-esteem from learning to read.

Currently, the program operates in 17 public schools, 9 participating YMCAs in 13 counties in Florida. YMCA Reads is implemented in partnership with the Florida State Alliance of YMCA’s Foundation, Inc. and the local YMCA’s in Florida.  Funding for YMCA Reads comes from The Department of Education and the participating YMCA’s. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE IMPACT OF YMCA READS, contact Dr. Moira Hendricks at moira@floridaymcas.org.