About Us
Reading ‘Round the Block
The mission of the Reading ‘Round the Block Project is to ensure that every child on the block is read to for 20 minutes a day until they reach the end of third grade. We ensure that children are read to by reaching out to and educating parents, procuring and distributing age-appropriate reading material, and holding gatherings to celebrate our community’s accomplishments and our love of reading.
Reading ‘Round the Block is a neighborhood community project.
Our neighborhood consists of St. Nicholas Avenue, 148th to 149th Street.
It is a fact that nearly half of New York City public school students do not finish high school. We know that reading to children is the single most effective way to ensure that they become readers. We know that a child’s reading ability at the end of third grade is a predictor of his or her likelihood to graduate from high school and continue on to college. By reading to children, we can have a dramatic impact on their educational and life chances.
The Reading ‘Round the Block project is designed to create community in this neighborhood. There are few opportunities for neighbors to interact and get to know each other. We are inventing the possibility for a united block, in which all members of the community can share and take pride in our community.
Still in the planning stages, families and businesses will be invited to signify their commitment to reading aloud by displaying a small sign in their window. Our goal is that 90% of the families on the block commit to participate. Flyers will be distributed to every household on the block, along with an invitation to the Kick-Off Party. Age appropriate books will be procured and distributed to all families in need. Neighborhood reading activities will be planned by the steering committee that meets monthly.
Reading ‘Round the Block is affiliated with The Children’s Reading Foundation. If you would like to get involved and support young readers in Harlem, please contact srosaldo@hotmail.com
