A RENEWAL IN STUDENT EDUCATION

what is arise2read?

ARISE2Read is a non-profit organization. We take an active role in the development of children in our school system through the presence of volunteers focused on literacy. We tutor students one hour per week utilizing a simple sight word approach and provide books for the students to enhance their literacy skills outside the classroom.

who is arise2read?

YOU are ARISE2Read. We currently have over 700 active volunteers who invest an hour every week helping the children of our city learn to read on grade level. We have a small staff of 15, but this program wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for dedicated volunteers like you!

where is arise2read?

ARISE2Read was founded in 2013 by Donna Gaines in Memphis, TN. Starting with one school, Treadwell Elementary, the A2R program has since grown to serve 44 schools across Shelby County. The program has continued to expand beyond city and state lines, as well as beyond our country’s borders, serving children across the world!

books!

In addition to weekly one-on-one coaching sessions, ARISE2Read also provides every 2nd grade student in an A2R school with 8-10 brand new books every year. That is over 40,000 books a year!

WHY?

Because research shows a direct link between reading proficiency and the number of books in the home.

Test your awareness of the literacy epidemic in our country...

ARISE2READ’S IMPACT

2024-2025

43

Schools

817

Volunteers

724

Students

COACHED

37k

Books

GIVEN

43

Community
Partners

we get Results!

During the 2024-2025 school year, our students gained an average of 301 sight words- equivalent to 3-grade levels of growth! Only 9% of our students pre-tested on grade level while post-test results revealed that 66% of our students were on grade level. Resulting in a

614% INCREASE

in the number of students reading on sight word grade level!