Wise Readers to Leaders (“Readers to Leaders”) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to closing the literacy achievement gap for youth from underserved communities and to preparing future leaders for a diverse world through an innovative and culturally responsive literacy curriculum and cross-cultural leadership and enrichment programs.

Readers to Leaders’ programs prevent summer learning loss and mitigates pandemic learning loss for hundreds of students in grades K-8 from underserved communities and at-risk environments across Los Angeles with free literacy activities. Coupled with “camp style” enrichment activities, Readers to Leaders’ programs foster self-confidence and nurture positive attitudes towards learning through science, math, dance, music, sports, and more. Readers to Leaders extends its reach from the classroom to families and the community by offering free workshops for parents on topics such as financial literacy, drug prevention, nutrition, and resume writing. This approach makes Readers to Leaders not just a literacy program, but a multi-faceted learning and family support program built on the foundation of reading.

Operating year-round, Readers to Leaders seamlessly integrates literacy programming with intercultural learning and exchanges, with a particular focus on bridging the Latino and Jewish communities. Our program offers a free Remote Reading and Mentorship initiative where a teen volunteer is paired with a K-6 student from an historically underserved community. They connect weekly through in-person meetings, phone calls, or Zoom to read together. To further strengthen these mentor-mentee relationships, we organize in-person events that include literacy activities, field trips, and community service projects. Additionally, our program supports teens from both communities as they navigate high school, providing guidance on selecting classes, extracurriculars, and the college application process.