FLORIDA STATE ALLIANCE OF YMCAS

Ymca reads! Is an after-school reading assistance 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. Continued on schedule o.the ymca reads! Program teaches literacy skills to students via 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 18 public schools, 8 participating ymcas in 11 counties in florida.