The “Readers to Leaders” program promotes brotherhood and global literacy among males between the ages of 9 and 14 who are not proficient in reading as shown by the 2008 NYS ELA exam. 86% of African-American and 83% of Latino young men are not proficient readers. And well over 50% of each population is measured by the NYS ELA as not being at level 3 or 4 on that measure.
For this population of at-risk young men, peer pressure, lack of positive role models, bullying, as well as poor academic and social skills create a negative environment. Not having a positive exposure to learning, the benefits of community or educational role models puts them at a distinct disadvantage.
They limit their horizons, do not learn how to resolve conflict in a peaceful manner, see no benefit to continued learning and develop no commitment or connection to their community.
The “Readers to Leaders” program is a unique combination of service learning projects with language arts. Research has shown that disadvantaged youth who volunteer are significantly more likely to believe they can have a positive impact on their community as well as to think they are likely to graduate from a four-year college. The club’s members will experience all three types of service learning: direct service, indirect service and advocacy.
