According to Readers 2 Leaders Executive Director Norma Nelson,
“This month, I have had the tremendous blessing (and honor!) of being named Readers 2 Leaders’ first Executive Director!
“Readers 2 Leaders is a non-profit organization founded in 2010, whose mission is to develop and grow the reading skills of children in West Dallas ages 3-10 so that they succeed in school, graduate and leave school prepared to live productive lives. We offer in-school reading tutoring, a community lending library, high quality after-school programs and parent education centered on early literacy.
“In serving R2L as its first employee as well as our first Program Director, it has been amazing to see the growth of our programs and the impact we have had on West Dallas children. This year we are serving 240 children at six program sites (including five DISD schools) and our staff has grown to 14 total. Last year, the average student accelerated their reading level by 150%!
“Additionally, R2L partners with over 100 community volunteers who help out by reading with a child just one day a week for 30 minutes.
“My goals for 2016 are simple: to never lose sight of our mission, to humbly serve the West Dallas community and to get the word out in our community about the children in West Dallas who need our help! I am excited to take on this new role and continue to bring early literacy programs to West Dallas.
“For more information on Readers 2 Leaders, please visit us on the web at: www.readers2leaders.org.”