JULY 2017 32 | FRONTDOORSMEDIA .COM GIVING BACK CONTINUED Read Better Be Better is an after-school literacy program specifically designed to help third graders improve their literacy skills, helping them to become better learners and ultimately helping them to excel in all aspects of their academic career. It utilizes 8th grade volunteers to work one- on-one with the younger students, helping them to improve their skills and cultivate an interest in reading. “Third grade reading is the single most significant indicator of future success - we will never move towards social justice unless we do more to support those kids who are struggling,” said founder and CEO Sophie Etchart. “Read Better Be Better inspires and equips 8th graders to help us solve Arizona’s literacy crisis. Not only do we have an impact on third-grade literacy, but in doing so, we create a generation of youth who enter high school with increased confidence and a strong sense of civic responsibility. It’s a no-brainer.” The free program, which is currently operating in Avondale, Tolleson and Osborn Elementary School Districts, provides 45 minutes of core reading comprehension programming, and during the remaining time participants can choose from one of three programs: Be A Better Reader, Be A Better Thinker or Be A Better Mover. Each activity is designed to focus attention and improve concentration, and have been directly linked to the improvement of reading proficiency. It’s proven to work too - 100 percent of evaluations show that participants enjoy improved concentration, enjoyment of reading and reading comprehension after just one semester, and 99 percent of participants would join the program as fourth graders if they could. It makes an impact on the volunteers too, with one in five volunteers using the skills they learned through the program to read with younger siblings at home. READ BETTER BE BETTER and provides an enhanced focus on literacy and problem solving. Educare ensures their staff is highly qualified and requires intensive staff development, and the program maintains a low staff-child ratio to ensure all children receive adequate attention. Educare also helps families by providing on-site family support services in their state-of-the-art facility. Underserved children who don’t have access to high-quality early educational programs, like Educare, are 70 percent more likely to be arrested for a violent crime and 25 percent more likely to drop out of school.

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