Why People of Faith Should Care about the Literacy Crisis

A mentor from a faith-based non-profit helps a young student read in a classroom, supporting literacy development and connection through education.
A MOVEMENT OF FAITH AND ACTION

Activating churches to end America’s literacy crisis

As a faith-based nonprofit, the Children’s Literacy Project believes churches hold the key to solving the literacy crisis in America. There are more churches than schools in our nation, and each one is filled with caring people ready to make a difference. By equipping congregations with proven literacy tools and training, CLP helps churches transform compassion into impact—turning faith into measurable community change.

Mobilize churches as reading mentor hubs
Empower faith communities to lead local literacy efforts
Equip volunteers with the tools and training they need to make a lasting difference
Preventative Justice
In the parable of the Sheep and the Goats
(Matthew 25:31-46), Jesus describes life in God’s Kingdom as caring for the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick and imprisoned.

“For as much as you have done it to the least of these you have done it unto me”
-Jesus

In the 21st century, our welfare lines, immigration centers, sex-trafficking pipelines, addiction centers and prisons are full of dropouts and those unable to read. This is why it is imperative that children learn to read by 4th grade. We call it PREVENTATIVE JUSTICE.  Remember,

“When you look into the eyes of the poor and hurting, you gaze into the face of Jesus,” -Tony Campolo
Become a Literacy Church
Become a Literacy Church
Perfect Partnership
Every school has a church near by
“The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood” John 1:14
Churches are full of do-gooders looking for ways to “Love Thy Neighbor”
Activate anyone as reading mentors:  grandparents, teenagers, stay-at-home parents, businesspeople.
Low cost mission: Often literacy volunteerism is already paid for
Become a Literacy Church
Become a Literacy Church
A Man mentoring a child
A cute little boy smiling
Young school aged black girls walking down a hallway. One of them is looking at the camera smiling
A middle aged black woman reading to a little white girl. The wall behind her is green and they appear to be in a classroom setting.
An older white woman with glasses reading to a white little girl with glasses
A close up shot of a white woman looking a little black girl.
Two little girls reading together, close up shot

Benefits to your Congregation

Activate your untapped people and potential
Serve: Tangibly care for “the least of these”
Impact: Transform your neighborhood’s future
Initiate: Instead of inviting your neighbors to church, bring them with you to school
Reputation: Live an exemplary life in the neighborhood
Invigorate: Your leadership, your maturity and your story
Live the life that Jesus modeled and invites you to share
Grow your congregation and your faith
Steward: Literacy initiatives are low-cost and high-reward

Your Church Can Make a Difference

Fuel Children’s Literacy Initiatives Nationwide

Your support fuels our mission to expand a growing literacy volunteer network that spans the nation. By joining the Children’s Literacy Project, you help connect reading mentors and volunteer tutors with children who need them most.

Become a Reading Mentor
Become a Reading Mentor
Donate
Donate