The impact of having a mentor can be life-changing. Children who are mentored have better grades and school attendance, are more likely to attend college, and develop the confidence and social-emotional skills needed to be successful in school and beyond.

But far too many children--especially those living in high-poverty communities--grow up without ever having a mentor in their life. This is where Read Ahead comes in.

Each school day, at public elementary schools across New York City, Read Ahead mentors and mentees come together during lunch for reading, conversation, and other fun activities. Reading and books are at the center of Read Ahead sessions, but it’s the relationship with a caring mentor who shows up week after week that makes the real difference for children in our program.

We want every child in Read Ahead to develop the confidence and social-emotional skills they need to succeed academically and to thrive, but we need your help! This year, Read Ahead plans to serve nearly 1,000 Kindergarten through 5th grade students in 15 public schools where the majority of students qualify for free or reduced price lunch.

Your donation will allow us to bring the joy of mentoring to even more students in need, helping to unlock their full potential and make their next chapter a great one.

Thank you for your support! You'll receive a confirmation email within a few minutes of donating, but please allow up to 30 minutes for your donation to appear on this page.

Questions or feedback? Email us at development@readahead.org - we'd love to hear from you!