Reading Assist

When kids read, Pennsylvania succeeds.

Today, Reading Assist team members Lindsay Bedford and Kelly Preston joined fellow members of .literacy in Harrisburg to advocate for literacy across the Commonwealth.

Together, educators, families, business leaders, and even kids met with legislators to share why investing in evidence-based literacy instruction and supporting literacy implementation across Pennsylvania matters for students, schools, and communities.

We’re proud to stand alongside partners working to ensure every child has access to the tools they need to become a confident reader.

Happy Fellow Feature Friday! 📚

Today we’re excited to spotlight some of the incredible Fellows serving at EastSide Charter School.

Last week, Reading Assist was invited by Power Home Remodeling to participate in their “Nominate for Good” video series, which highlights authentic moments of community impact and partnership. We spent the day onsite filming with Program Manager Kelly Preston, fellow Tiara Eoff, and one of the students she supports to help capture the heart behind this work.

We also want to give a special shout-out to fellows Nan Harris and Phillippa McNair, along with our new Spur Impact AmeriCorps intern Marissa Pelton, for their flexibility, energy, and support throughout the day. We’re so excited to have Marissa on the team already, especially when she jumps right in and starts reading alongside students during filming days. 💛

Thank you again to EastSide Charter and Power Home Remodeling for helping us share these stories and spotlight the power of literacy support in action.

The countdown is on 🎉

One week from today, we’ll kick off our End-of-Year Celebrations honoring the Fellows, students, educators, and partners who made this school year so meaningful.

Across two celebrations in Wilmington and Washington, DC, we’ll come together to recognize excellence through our Fellow of the Year, Student of the Year, and Literacy Champion awards, and celebrate the community that makes this work possible.

RSVP to Chancery Market Celebration: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/7b3q5qr/lp/3906fa33-a8bc-4979-ada3-7e90ebccc25c

RSVP to Wunder Garten Celebration: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/7vm7f7w/lp/4e9652c7-a99e-4ea0-b03b-4d6df5015685

We're proud to add our voices in celebration of U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan, recipient of the John Lewis Bridge to Service Award at this year's Friends of National Service Awards dinner in Washington, D.C.

Featuring Reading Assist CEO Caroline O'Neal, Program Director Jeannine Bedford, and AmeriCorps Fellow Kyle Glassman from East Goshen Elementary — three people who know firsthand what it means to have champions in Congress fighting for national service and the students we serve.

Thank you, Rep. Houlahan, for your unwavering support of AmeriCorps and Pennsylvania's Sixth Congressional District.

https://youtu.be/1LT_jB0F3XI?si=fAFd23pxzzrvladv

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan FONS 2026 Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Yesterday we had the pleasure of welcoming Pennsylvania State Senator John Kane to Stetser Elementary School in Chester for a firsthand look at Reading Assist in action.

Senator Kane observed our Fellows working one-on-one with students, heard directly from our team about the impact of high-dosage literacy tutoring, and left with a deeper understanding of what’s possible when we invest in Delaware County’s youngest readers.

A highlight of the visit was hearing from Kelly Preston, Reading Assist Program Manager and former Fellow, who spoke with clarity and passion about the work and her own journey from Fellow to Program Manager, a powerful example of what this program makes possible.

CEO Caroline O'Neal also shared the broader picture of Reading Assist’s work across the region and the critical importance of sustained funding and support for and the service members who make this work possible.

Senator Kane expressed enthusiasm for continuing to support Chester’s students and the important work happening in Delaware County schools. We’re grateful for his time and his commitment to literacy for all.

Proud to have been part of this year’s Delaware Teacher Pathways Showcase, joining educators, district leaders, and higher education partners committed to strengthening Delaware’s teacher workforce.

A highlight: seeing our Tutors to Teachers participant Amanda Vawter on the “Teacher Pipeline from the Local Lens” panel, sharing her experience in literacy preparation and classroom readiness. Tutors to Teachers is our partnership with Wilmington University, supporting aspiring educators on their path to the classroom.

Amanda’s journey is exactly what this work is about: supporting educators while strengthening literacy outcomes for students across Delaware.

Thank you to all the partners moving this work forward.

Real growth is happening right here in Delaware County. 📚

Among Reading Assist students in Chester Upland School District, this school year’s results speak for themselves:

• 100% grew on at least one literacy measure
• 98% grew their benchmark scores
• 91% met at least one foundational reading benchmark

This is what consistent, dedicated literacy support makes possible. The Foundation for Delaware County's Delco Gives closes at 7 PM tonight, and your gift helps more students build the foundational reading skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.

https://www.delcogives.org/organization/reading-assist

Delco Gives starts NOW

For the next 24 hours, Reading Assist is participating in The Foundation for Delaware County's Delco Gives, Delaware County’s biggest celebration of generosity.

Our goal is to raise $5,000 to provide critical reading support and essential literacy resources to Delco’s young, striving readers who need them most. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a real difference.

https://www.delcogives.org/organization/reading-assist

During Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re thinking about what it really means to support educators.

For us, that includes investing in professional learning that’s practical, research-based, and built for the realities of the classroom.

In 2026, Reading Assist partnered with the Brandywine School District and Academia Antonia Alonso Charter School (La Academia) to provide professional learning grounded in the Science of Reading, equipping educators with tools to better support their students.

We value working alongside partners committed to strengthening literacy outcomes in their classrooms every day.

Interested in learning more about our IMSLEC-accredited intervention training program? Learn more by tapping the link below or by emailing our team at [email protected].

https://readingassist.org/services/educator-training/

Educator Training Educator Training Professional Learning Opportunities Reading Assist offers various training options, including certification in the Reading Assist Intervention Program, to teachers, reading specialists, and other educators who wish to increase their understanding and knowledge of the science of rea...

Today, members of our leadership team joined nonprofit leaders from across the state at the 2026 Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement IMPACT Delaware Conference, "IMPACT Rising: Beyond Measure."

The day centered on collaboration, resilience, and strengthening impact in a rapidly changing landscape. From conversations on advocacy and values-based fundraising to the role of emerging tools like AI, the conference brought together diverse perspectives on how organizations can continue to adapt and lead in their communities.

was a valuable opportunity to connect, learn, and contribute to the future of the First State's nonprofit sector.