Support

“You might have read some of the recent coverage of the latest city government screw-up”

“Dear PoPville,

You might have read some of the recent coverage of the latest city government screw-up: Serve DC (in the mayor’s office) didn’t bother to file DC’s grant paperwork with the Corporation for National and Community Service this year, which is going to cost the city $3.75M in federal funding that goes to support the work of City Year (those nice young people in the red jackets), and two early literacy intervention nonprofits, Literacy Lab and Reading Partners.

Many studies show that it’s vitally important that kids be reading at grade level by the fourth grade. At that point, they’re no longer reading to learn to read, they’re reading to learn all their other subjects, so if they’re behind in reading by the fourth grade, they quickly end up behind in all their subjects, and they often never catch up.

In 2017, only 19% of DC’s fourth graders from low-income families could read at or above grade level. Kids who are reading at or above grade level by fourth grade are four times more likely to stay in school and graduate, creating a firm foundation to be successful in life. That’s what Literacy Lab and Reading Partners exist to do.

I’m a volunteer with Reading Partners. We were due to receive $560,000 to fund 30 AmeriCorps positions in the 2019-2020 school year. That represents 20% of our budget. Reading Partners’ model relies heavily on volunteers – we currently have more than 1000 volunteers working with more than 960 K-3 kids in 19 schools, 11 of which are east of the river. We use the subsidized AmeriCorps positions for things like our site coordinators (one full time reading center staff person per school), managing all those volunteers, and providing specialized literacy expertise. Our program is evidence-based, with a 95% success rate with our K-2 students, and an 88% success rate overall (you can learn more about our impact here).

The PoPville community can help us by:

DC is broadly a wealthy and well-educated city, but those privileges are not evenly distributed. We’re failing our kids and limiting their dreams. Early literacy intervention helps our most vulnerable, underserved kids, every one of whom is precious and deserves the best we can give them.”

Recent Stories

From the DC Public Library: “The DC Public Library invites you to witness the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024.

700 V Street, NW at 7th/Georgia Ave Holy smokes, thanks to B. for sending the Torrie’s listing: “Restaurant for lease in Shaw. First time available in over 30 years,

1817 Columbia Road, NW Not just Namak! A couple storefronts down Easy Tiger Tavern has sprouted some new signage/awning:

Wegmans is located off Wisconsin in rear at 41 Ridge Square, NW Last year’s was awesome. Mark your calendars – April 5-6!! “Experience the excitement of Tokyo’s famed Toyosu Fish…

Calling all bookworms, thrill-seekers, supporters of the arts, and ping-pongers at all skill levels! Sign up for Paddlestar Galactica, the ping-pong tournament supporting 826DC’s youth writing programs.

826DC is a local nonprofit that offers free writing programs, homework help, and publishing opportunities for DC students ages 6-18, in our Columbia Heights writing center and in learning spaces across the city.

Paddlestar Galactica helps keep writing education 100% free and accessible for all of our students! It’s also extremely fun.

This year’s games will be Saturday, April 27th, 1 PM to 4 PM at SPIN DC. It’ll be a chaotic afternoon of ping-pong, costumes, terrible Battlestar Galactica puns, and good cheer. We’d love to have you join us!

Read More

Submit your own Announcement here.

Well-Paid Maids, the only certified living-wage cleaning service in the DMV, has added a new service to its online booking menu: office and building cleanings.

This includes offices, building lobbies, shared amenity spaces and more throughout D.C., Arlington, Alexandria and more.

Unlike so many other cleaning services, you can feel good booking Well-Paid Maids to clean your office or building. Cleaners get paid a starting wage of $24 an hour. Plus, all employees are offered health, dental, vision and life insurance; 24 paid days off per year; 100% employer-paid commuting costs; and more.

Read More

Submit your own Announcement here.

Vakili Band at Pie Shop!

Three band rock n rolll lineup at DC’s Pie Shop! Vakili Band with “if you know, you know” DC rockers, Lot 18, and the many minds and songs of artist Kind of Christine.

“If you love Vakili Band like we

×

Subscribe to our mailing list