Congratulations to our Community MVP
Lead to Read KC Executive Director, Pauly Hart, was named the Community MVP by Patrick Mahomes and his 15 and Mahomies Foundation. The award recognizes Hart’s work in growing a community of readers and Lead to Read KC’s commitment to the Foundation’s Read for 15 initiative – from book drives and distributions to spreading awareness about the importance of reading across Kansas City. Congratulations, Pauly!
|
|
Lunch and Learn:
How Literacy Affects Workforce Development
A skilled workforce starts with reading. Join us at noon on Monday, Jan. 9, at the Bloch Executive Hall Auditorium on the UMKC campus for a Lunch and Learn where Kansas City business and civic leaders will discuss the impact of learning loss on the city’s future workforce. You'll learn about the impact of pandemic-related learning loss, and ways you can help young readers recover, and ultimately become tomorrow's workforce. In addition to a special message from Mayor Quinton Lucas, and Kansas City School Board President, Nate Hogan, our panelists include:
-
Sarah Lauck, vice president of talent and belonging, H&R Block
-
Clyde McQueen, president, Full Employment Council of Kansas City, Mo.
-
Ruth Pullins, chief human resources and DE&I officer, University Health
-
Dred Scott, president, Civic Council of Greater Kansas City
A light lunch will be served, and the event is free to attend. Click the button below to reserve your ticket today. Registration ends Jan. 5.
|
|
Lead to Read KC depends on community funding to support its programming. It’s not too late to make an end-of-year donation to help Kansas City’s youngest readers become tomorrow’s leaders. We have classrooms on our waiting list. With your support, we can expand the reach of our programs in 2023 to serve more children and help young readers reach their potential.
|
|
|
Raise a glass in 2023
Lead to Read KC is the featured charity partner at Casual Animal Brewing Company, located at 1725 McGee St., in January and February! Two dollars of every pint of Local Motive beer sold goes directly to Lead to Read KC. Bring your friends and family and gather any time at Casual Animal to support Lead to Read KC.
And plan now to join us for these Lead to Read KC events:
-
Friday, January 6, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. for First Friday
-
Friday, January 20, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for our Educator's Happy Hour
-
Thursday, February 9, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for our Love Lit Happy Hour
-
Thursday, February 23 for our Lit Lovers Trivia Night (time announced soon)
Interested in helping with a Casual Animal event? Reach out to Linda Hughes.
|
|
Wherever kids may be waiting, they could be reading! That’s why Lead to Read KC has more than 40 Reading is EverywhereSM Book Distribution sites across the Kansas City area. This month we look at Midtown Laundry at 6389 Troost Ave. in Kansas City, Mo.
Midtown Laundry has been serving the community since 2018, and their community includes children who come in with their parents or grandparents on laundry day.
“The books give the kids something to do when their parents are busy,” Midtown Laundry staff member Jackie Powell (pictured above) said. “They enjoy them. Some children even take the books home, which I like. It’s a positive thing all around.”
We couldn’t agree more! And the program’s popularity is evidenced by the number of times our staff and volunteers have refilled the Laundry’s empty book basket.
We are grateful to Midtown Laundry, and all of our Reading is EverywhereSM partners helping us build a stronger community of readers.
|
|
Reading Mentors make the best recruiters! Just ask Bob Daum. He has recruited seven new Reading Mentors so far this year. |
|
JOIN US IN THE NEW YEAR | Lead to Read KC is opening eight new classrooms in 2023 and we need more Reading Mentors. Make it your New Year's resolution to have fun reading with a student each week. Learn more here.
WINTER BREAK REMINDER | Reading sessions resume the week of Jan. 9, 2023. We hope our Reading Mentors enjoy their break and have a happy holiday season.
LUNCH AND LEARN | Join us at noon on Monday, Jan. 9, for our Lunch and Learn at the Bloch Executive Hall Auditorium on the UMKC campus. Kansas City business and civic leaders will discuss the impact of learning loss on the city’s future workforce. A light lunch will be served, and the event is free to attend. Reserve your ticket today! Registration ends Jan. 5.
IN THE NEWS | Read for 15 is the talk of the town. Many thanks to Fox 4 and KMBC 9 News for sharing more about the program, now in its third year.
YOU DID IT! | We were thrilled to be one of the Country Club Plaza Centennial Grant Program winners. Many thanks to everyone who voted for Lead to Read KC!
|
|
11 years of creating a community of readers, one lunch hour at a time. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
