Jessica DeSiato for Uplift Literacy

Every Child Deserves to Read. Period.

Right now, nearly 40% of Miami-Dade third graders are below reading level. And here’s the hard truth: three-out-of-four struggling readers never catch up. They are four times more likely to drop out of high school, cutting off opportunities before they even have a chance.

About Us

At Uplift Literacy, we are passionate about closing the literacy gap and empowering children to reach their full potential through the power of reading. Our mission is to maximize lifelong success for children by improving their reading proficiency – at school, at home, and in their communities. 

During the 2024–2025 school year, we served:

• 1,032 children, strengthening early literacy skills through direct programming;

• 690 parents and caregivers, empowering families to make reading part of daily life;

• 158 preschool teachers, equipped with early literacy strategies through training and workshops; and

• 3,926 books, distributed through our programs and community book nooks.

Breaking Barriers by Raising Readers

Through impactful programs like ReadingPals—weekly reading sessions with Pre-K through 3rd grade students; Books Around Town—free reading nooks placed in local businesses; and our family literacy events, which include parent workshops and children’s storytimes, we provide children and families with essential literacy support, mentorship, and access to books.  We work to foster a love of reading, build foundational skills, and ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive academically and personally.  Our programs not only empower children but also strengthen our entire community.

Across our ReadingPals program, children demonstrated remarkable growth in foundational literacy skills based on pre- and post-assessments conducted from Pre-K through 3rd grade. On average, students showed a: 69.11% increase in Letter Name Recognition, 136.10% increase in Phonics Skills, and 127.67% increase in Oral Reading Fluency.

Take Action

Join us. Give today. Change the story. Donations will be used for educational resources, increased outreach, enhanced parent engagement, and program expansion in the upcoming year. Every contribution, no matter the size, is an investment in our children’s future.