Alabama Gives Day - What If Every Child Could Read?

Today, February 2, marks a statewide initiative to raise much needed donations for Alabama's nonprofit agencies.  Although each and everyone is deserving, I chose a program near and dear to my heart.

STAIR Birmingham's first site was at my church Independent Presbyterian.  Now thanks to willing volunteers there are sites in Ensley, Woodlawn, Norwood and Avondale.

Their website says it all.

STAIR, an acronym for Start the Adventure in Reading, works with second grade children who are reading below grade level in an effort to give those children, who have not been successful in learning to read in first grade, a chance to catch up with their peers.  Research shows the optimum time to master reading skills is by the end of second grade. 

Each child attends STAIR two days a week and meets with a trained volunteer.  The structured lessons engage the student by using phonics, sight words, alphabet review, and games. During the course of the school year, the students develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills.  To date, students who complete the STAIR program improve their reading test scores by an average of 96%. 


I have had the privilege of being their photographer for several years and put together a short movie that you can see HERE and also make a much needed and appreciated donation.


http://algives.razoo.com/story/Stair-Of-Birmingham