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You Are Here:  Support Us Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Minimize Support the Reading Center




The generous support of donors like
you keeps reading attainable.
Please support literacy in your community
through your generous contribution.
 
Minimize High Marks for Donors
Why Donate to The Reading Center?

Helping Children & Families
Educational therapy and testing is an investment for families; but for those parents experiencing lay offs or unemployment due to the economic realities today, it is now out of reach.  Rather than turn away children who need our help, it is key to our mission that we help these families with a scholarship.  In 2009, 20% more children received and needed scholarships, providing $67,000 in 2009.

In addition to scholarship, funding is needed to help with early identification and intervention as well as teacher training so that more kids are identified and more educators are trained to help.  Our Best of Basics Summer Program is often a gateway program for unidentified children with dyslexia.  Outreach Education and Reading Readiness also help with early identification. 

With early identification and intervention, a dyslexic child can experience success and feel capable – our students test at a 5.210 NCE level, which is considered by experts to be outstanding.

Trusted by Donors. Independently Verified.
The Reading Center is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization.  Your donation to the Reading Center/Dyslexia Institute of Minnesota is a critical investment in the bright futures of our youth.

• 63% of Minnesota’s 4th graders and 64% of Minnesota’s 8th graders are not proficient in reading.

• Students not proficient at reading by the beginning of third grade have only a 25% chance of catching up over their entire public school experience. 

• 75% of unemployed adults have reading or writing difficulties 

• 70% of US prison inmates cannot read above a 4th grade level 
Minimize By The Numbers ... in 2009
  • 79 educational assessments to identify children and adults’ learning issues and put them on the path to getting the assistance they need.
  • 8,488 lessons taught to 126 students by 38 tutors who developed the reading skills that will make the students successful in school and in life.
  • 47 adults were trained in the Reading Center’s methods that are proven to work with those struggling to read. These include 21 classroom and specialist teachers from the Rochester School District.
  • 91 students enrolled in our intensive Best of Basics Summer Program where they engaged their minds every day for a month, in order to reinforce skills they need for success the following school year.
  • 5 reading clubs for Pre-school aged children and their parents taught children and their parents the skills they need to be ready to read.
  • Over 200 adults attended one of our free outreach educational presentations, increasing the number of parents and teachers who understand the signs and symptoms of dyslexia.
  • $67,000 in scholarships for testing and tutoring were provided to 35 children whose families could not afford the full cost of Educational Therapy.
  • 20% growth in the number of children needing and receiving scholarships over 2008.

People from all walks of life have found success by learning to read and developing confidence in themselves. We've guided thousands of students down this path. Hear some inspiring stories from just a few of them:

Brooks Edwards, M.D.
Head of the Mayo Clinic Transplant Center
"Paula Rome told me 'You CAN do it! You're not stupid...you just learn differently."
Read the story of this prominant physician.

Greg Nesler
Owner, Rochester Plumbing & Heating
"I still don't read for pleasure, but I've been successful in my career..."
Read the story of this successful business owner.

Nick Keller
Student, Goodhue, Minnesota
"I had a hard time reading. Like I was dumb."
Read the story of a student who went from Special Ed to tutoring others!

Joe Powers
Owner, Canadian Honker Restaurant
"I knew I had to work harder than most to get through school."
Read the story of a respected entrepreneur.

Jacob Davidson
Student, Rochester, Minnesota
"Tutoring helped me learn in a way that worked for me."
Read the story of an international athlete and successful student.

The Reading Center | 847 5th Street N.W. | Rochester, MN 55901 | 507-288-5271 | read@thereadingcenter.org
 
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