FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21st, 2022
Local Nonprofit, Read Better Be Better, Awarded $31,500 from Thunderbirds Charities
PHOENIX, AZ – A Phoenix-based 501(c)(3), Read Better Be Better (RBBB), was awarded a $31,500 grant from Thunderbirds Charities for its afterschool reading comprehension program in the Creighton Elementary School District.
According to 2021 AzM2 English Language Arts (ELA) assessments, 65% of 3rd graders in Arizona do not read at grade level and are often unable to make the necessary transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” by 4th grade. Literacy is a crucial skill for success and students are four times less likely to graduate high school when not reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
RBBB connects young readers and youth leaders to inspire a love of literacy and learning. Through twice-weekly afterschool sessions, middle school “Leaders” develop stronger leadership skills while assisting their elementary-aged “Readers” in developing stronger literacy skills. On average, RBBB Readers improve 20% more than nonparticipating students on standardized reading comprehension tests.
“I like Read Better Be Better because I am growing a strong friendship bond with my third graders and helping them improve their reading,” shared one middle-school Leader from Kennedy at Loma Linda in the Creighton Elementary School District during the Fall 2021 semester.
The funding from Thunderbirds Charities will allow RBBB to continue its critical literacy work in the Creighton Elementary School District. RBBB is grateful to generous community partners like Thunderbirds Charities who recognize the need of students in Arizona and commit to funding programs that make a direct difference in students’ lives.
“I’ve had the honor of watching these students achieve greatness through tough times and still show us that they can ALL be leaders when they need to. They are really making a difference!” said the RBBB Program Coach from Gateway School in the Creighton Elementary School District during the Fall 2021 semester.
Established in 1986, Thunderbirds Charities is the charitable arm of The Thunderbirds, whose purpose is to grant the funds generated by the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Thirty-six years later, the mission of Thunderbirds Charities remains the same: to assist children and families, help people in need, and improve the quality of life in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Each year, Thunderbirds Charities accepts grant proposals that support at-risk youth and families, community outreach and quality of life, education, and community livelihood, among others.
For more information about Read Better Be Better, visit www.readbetterbebetter.org or contact Katie Herrick, Communications Coordinator, at katie@readbetterbebetter.org.
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