PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Reading Assist in Chester is a nonprofit dedicated to raising the reading proficiency scores among students in the district.
“I’m really proud of Chester and the Chester Upland School District. They’re doing amazing things to improve the community and are really dedicated to improving the lives of the kids in the community,” said Caroline O’Neal, CEO of Reading Assist.
The group recruits and trains AmeriCorps members to serve a year in schools, providing one-on-one or small group reading instruction to children who score in the lowest 25% of reading proficiency.
“One of my favorite parts of working at Reading Assist is being able to build relationships with the kids and being someone who is a consistent person in their lives,” said Briana Deklavon, one of the reading interventionists. “I think that really makes a difference for them.”
It seems to be working. By mid-school year, all first- through third-grade Chester Upland students being tutored in the Reading Assist program showed progress in at least one measure of foundational reading skills.
“We had one of the students turn to her tutor in the middle of the lesson … [and say], ‘I think I’m reading. Oh my gosh, I’m reading!’ And it was such a joyful moment,” O’Neal recalled.
Paulette Sullivan Moore also works with the students. She said it’s a joy to see the lightbulb turn on when the children reach their milestones. And, she said, their efforts provide so much more than just reading.
“Working with the kids on their self-confidence. That’s the other thing — continuing to encourage them to say you can do this,” she said.
This progress is important for kids in Chester, who are mostly children of color. O’Neal said seeing them thrive is a priceless reward.
“For me, the passion comes from knowing that we can solve a problem and change kids’ lives, that we can make a lifelong difference in the lives of our children. And that just drives me to work every day,” said O’Neal.
During Black History Month, KYW Newsradio’s GameChangers honors individuals or organizations that have made a significant, positive impact in communities of color in the greater Philadelphia region. View the 2024 honorees here.