Studies have found that children learn to read from birth to third grade. After that, they  are reading to learn. At White Station Elementary School, second graders are receiving extra help with reading, thanks to the non-profit organization ARISE2Read.

ARISE2Read meets with second-grade students twice a week at White Station, where volunteers work with small groups to improve students’ reading fluency. Every second-grade class gets a guest reader during the visit, while each student receives a book and a snack. 

 According to its website, ARISE2Read takes on an active role in the development of children in Memphis-Shelby County Schools through the presence of volunteers focused on literacy. The organization equips volunteers to help second-grade students bridge foundational literacy gaps before they reach third grade by offering one-to-one connections with students to improve literacy skills.

Founded in 2013 by Donna Gaines, the organization has grown from serving one school – Treadwell Elementary – to 44 schools across Shelby County. It has more than 700 volunteers who invest an hour every week to help students learn to read on grade level. 

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