The Cause
Why 3rd grade reading?
First we learn to read, then we read to learn!
82% of children in low-income communities cannot read at grade level by the 4th grade. This puts them on the dropout track.
Children who do not graduate from high school ...
- are not qualified for 90% of jobs
- earn on average just $23k per year
- are more likely to be incarcerated, to get pregnant young, and to use more public resources
Every child who does not graduate from high school costs society $26,000 (Annie E Casey Foundation).
Every child has the ability to achieve, but many lack to support they need to succeed.
Founded in 2010, Traveling Stories empowers students to achieve their dreams. Proceeds from the Walk will benefit our two main programs:
The Virtual StoryTent for children in 1st-3rd grade
Children are paired with a trained reading mentor volunteer for weekly one-on-one reading sessions via Zoom. Children who participate in the program record increases in reading skills, self-confidence, and time spent reading for fun. In its first year, the Virtual StoryTent served 50 children. In 2023 we're on track to serve 400!
The Pathways to College & Career Internship for youth ages 15-20 years old
Internships give high school and college students the opportunity to learn more about themselves, discover job opportunities, create professional connections and begin building marketable skills that will be needed in college and their career. Unfortunately there's a lack of internship opportunities for youth in marginalized communities.
The Pathways to College and Career Internship brings highly qualified and motivated students with diverse backgrounds into Traveling Stories to support the work of the Virtual StoryTent. Interns work in teams of 3 to facilitate the weekly, virtual reading sessions between mentors and elementary students. Through this hands-on work, interns build skills in the areas of project management, risk management, and communication. In 2023 alone, 32 students participated in the Internship program and facilitated one-on-one reading sessions between 300 children and 300 volunteers.
Traveling Stories relies on support from individuals like you to continue these programs! Thank you for your support!
