The Literacy Project

Mission: To enable at-risk and disadvantaged youth to increase their reading skill levels and to become self-sufficient, productive and contributing members of our society. History: Founded in 2009, The Literacy Project's vision is to bring the gift of literacy to children as a foundational learning element to help achieve their personal dreams. To accomplish its mission, The Literacy Project (TLP) accesses and enhances key phonic skills among struggling readers; promotes learning in a fun, social and interactive environment; uses proven methods to maximize the learning experience; and fosters self-sufficiency and economic success through academic achievement. Recognizing both the short-and long-term social concerns directly associated with illiteracy including higher rates of school dropout, unemployment, and poverty, as well as the long-term implications of the 3rd grade reading achievement gap, TLP was established to make a significant and lasting impact. Utilizing their comprehensive literacy intervention program, TLP strives to improve reading skill levels among struggling readers in the 2nd grade at Title 1 schools throughout Southern California. Accomplishments: To-date, The Literacy Project has helped more than 3,000 struggling readers throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties, as well as the Coachella Valley. By providing its signature reading program, at no-cost to students or the school, TLP has proven to be incredibly effective. In 2012, the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE), Evaluation, Data and Assessment Center (EDAC) completed an independent review of the program. The summary concluded, "Tested students began the program with lower reading skills than the comparison group, and tested significantly higher than non-participating students at the end of the program. Despite different grades, ages and schools, participating students consistently out-performed their classmates who were not enrolled in the reading program."