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Who We Are 

Who We Are

 
Need to Read (N2R) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that gives resources and does parent training to promote preliteracy and literacy skills in Florida. We are a public/private partnership that provides educational resources for parents with infants through five years of age. We invest in childhood development and growth by exposing children to words and books early in life and training parents on preliteracy skills. N2R provides age-appropriate book bundles to families and steers reading resources directly to households through the development of neighborhood reading corners.
 
 
 
 

The Challenge 

85%

 
of American children are not being exposed to literature content at young ages. Children from infants to five years old in underserved communities are entering the education development arena at a reading and comprehension deficit.

Long-term Social Implications of Low Literacy

Low Adult Literacy

Low Adult Literacy More than 43 million U.S. adults can’t read, write, or do basic math > than a 3rd grade level. Children of less-educated parents are 10x more likely to become low-skilled adults.

Poor Health

63% of low literate adults experience long-term physical deficiencies.
56% are more likely to have mental health issues.
68% adults are more likely to be obese.

Poverty

43% of adults with low literacy skills live in poverty.
47% of adult welfare recipients have not graduated from high school.
70% of adult welfare recipients have lower level literacy skills.

Criminality

20x more likely to be convicted of a crime.
70% of low literate adults can’t read
​at 4th grade level.
74% of 3rd graders who read poorly still
struggle in 9th grade.

Social Disconnect

Low self-esteem
Welfare dependency
Higher levels of crime
Feelings of shame
Low income (if any)
Generational ramifications

Unemployment

Approximately 21% of low literate adults who become literate increase their wages.
8.1% increase in the probability of being employed.
Low literacy costs the U.S. at least $225 billion p/y in non- productivity in the workforce, crime, and loss of tax revenue due to unemployment.

Our Vision 

By exposing children early in life to words and books, we are investing in human development and growth. N2R’s vision is to equip parents, siblings, and guardians with the tools, education, and support to eradicate low literacy for generations to come.

Our Solution 

  • Indigenous partnerships and engagement with like-minded organizations
  • Collaboration with elementary schools, Head Start Programs, childcare centers, and community organizations
  • Engage both children and parents in literacy through fun, interactive game show-style events, complete with prizes to incentivize parent attendance and foster family involvement in education
  • Parent training and demonstrations led by an expert who gives parents literacy and pre-literacy tips for kids
  • Our program ensures children from infant-1st grade receive a diverse collection of five or more books. For older kids, we offer a selection of books, allowing them to choose one tailored to their interests and reading level
  • We create Turn-key 'Reading Corners' with a diverse selection of at least 200 titles
  • All our events have a robust marketing campaign to promote events and increase awareness
  • Raising funds to recreate our model to expand resources to households regionally
  • Seeking partnership with donors, volunteers, and like-minded agents of influence in business, government, and the community