Partnering with the city to unlock the power of reading

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has united with Reading Partners to increase literacy rates for kids in Baltimore through the Third Grade Reads program. Thanks to an executive order which encourages city employees to volunteer up to two hours a week while still being paid, employees of the City of Baltimore have contributed over 400 hours of tutoring in local schools.

In addition to this direct service, the Baltimore City Parking Authority organized a book drive in which they collected over 2,400 books that were delivered by city employees directly to Reading Partners locations throughout the city. We are inspired by the support of Mayor Rawlings-Blake and are hopeful that her leadership will encourage influential members of Reading Partners’ communities to join forces in the efforts to unlock every child’s potential through the power of reading.