Summer Reads
How SUMMER READS works
SUMMER READS is a nationally recognized 20-hour-a week program that provides an enriching summer learning experience that keeps kids engaged in reading, science, writing, art, music and civics.

The SUMMER READS curriculum, Growing Peaceful Communities  is inserted into Philadelphia summer camps and at EducationWorks centers that do not have an educational or arts component.

A feature of SUMMER READS is the inclusion of an outstanding arts program presented by professionals in art, music, drama and dance. Moreover, SUMMER READS distributes 6,800 books to
Sponsors
Dow Chemical Foundation provided $28,000 for science kits and teachers.
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Copyright © 2010  April S Lee & Associates, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
What can I do to help?
To help us put more children onto the path of educational excellence, we need your financial support and in-kind
services. Please contact PHILDELPHIA READS today. Email lvance@philareads.org.

We invite you to join our other sponsors:
Annenberg Foundation
Build-A-Bear Foundation
The Dow Chemical Company
Hamilton Foundation
Lenfest Foundation
The Christopher Ludwick Foundation
The Nelson Foundation
Seybert Institution
SunGard Availability Services
Sunoco, Inc
Target
Vanguard
Wachovia Bank
Wawa
and our Community Partners:
National Constitution Center
EducationWorks
Philadelphia Phillies
Reading is Fundamental
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
Academy of Community Music
Black Pearl Orchestra
Philadelphia Young Playwrights

Why there’s a need for SUMMER READS
For 12 years, SUMMER READS, an offshoot of Philadelphia Reads, has helped 10,000 students achieve literacy success. To  continue into a 13th year, we need your financial help. Two-thirds of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youth is caused by unequal access to summer reading opportunities. As a result, low-income youth are less likely to graduate from high school or enter college. The single summer activity that is most strongly related to summer learning is reading. (Alexander et al., 2007

What teachers are saying about SUMMER READS:
"As the kids got to do more fun activities . . . they could not wait to sit down and read."
~ Debbie Strepper
". . . learning and appetite for knowledge increased"
~ David Neibauer
"There was an eagerness to learn . . . and they comprehended their duties as young citizens to help build
a peaceful community. "
~ Terry Green
children every summer, takes them to libraries and on field trips, gives them art supplies, science kits and musical instruments. All with purpose: to give Philadelphia’s youth a rich, fun, summer learning experience, to foster a love for reading, to improve literacy skills and to bridge the achievement gap.
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ACE Group sent $10,000 which completely supports 1 site this summer in the city.
Newsletter
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Hamilton Family Foundation gave $20,000. doubling their support this year.
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Wawa donates $4,000 to continue their annual support of Summer Reads.
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Comcast gave $26,000 for the second year to bring literacy education through the arts.