Rise To Read was created in the Fall of 2019 after learning that over 76% of the children attending Bridgeport public schools were unable to pass a third grade reading literacy test. 
‍
Furthermore, we learned that the third grade reading literacy test was such an accurate predictor of future success, that the prison industry uses the test results to help determine how many prison cells would be needed as children grow older creating what has become known as, the “school-to- prison” pipeline.
 
Nearly 60% of students graduating from Bridgeport Public Schools are functionally illiterate. 
‍
In light of the horrific and devastating statistics, a group of Bridgeport pastors and certified school teachers partnered together to forma 501(c3) called Rise To Read to give children real hope and a future. 
‍
Rise To Read is a grassroots organization that seeks to eradicate childhood illiteracy through direct hands-on tutoring provided by trained literacy volunteers who help children to become proficient readers by focusing on the follow areas:

• Phonics

• Sight Words

To date we have trained 150+ literacy volunteers, given out thousands of books to children, and worked directly with hundreds of children throughout Bridgeport. Additionally, we started free Rise To Read Literacy Centers in local neighborhoods churches, and have run fun free Rise To Read Summer Literacy Camps in numerous parks throughout the city. 

We hope to begin piloting programs for school-based Rise To Read Literacy Center in the fall of 2025!