I Would Rather Be Reading

I Would Rather Be Reading (IWRBR) is dedicated to ensuring all students have access to quality education by offering top-notch after-school programs and summer camps. Our programs provide students with research-based literacy instruction and intervention, intentional social-emotional learning (SEL) activities, and daily enrichment focused on physical and mental health, life skills, and the arts.

To give our new donors some background: when IWRBR first launched in 2018, we started with just one six-week summer camp for nine students. Thanks to growing community support, we've expanded our services significantly. In just eight years, we've published the Mindful Literacy Curriculum, trained hundreds of reading tutors, hosted numerous community events, and provided summer and after-school programs to thousands of children across the city.

Out-of-school time programs like ours prioritize Social Emotional Learning (SEL), offering hands-on and engaging activities that promote holistic development. SEL teaches essential life skills such as self-awareness, empathy, and responsible decision-making, which are crucial for personal growth and well-being. By incorporating these interactive activities, we create a dynamic learning environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork. When participants feel actively involved, they stay motivated and invested, which builds a positive and supportive atmosphere. Additionally, we provide free, high-quality literacy tutoring at each of our sites, ensuring that students who need extra help in this area have access. This approach not only boosts academic performance but also equips young individuals with the skills they need to navigate challenges, build meaningful relationships, and succeed in life.

This year, we’re continuing our partnership with Louisville Parks and Recreation and JCPS to offer Educate and Elevate camps at 1 community center and 4 schools, serving over 120 students throughout the 2025-2026 school year. But we need your help to make it happen!

Our goal for this year’s Give For Good Lou campaign is to raise $25,000 through 600 unique donations, and to strategically aim for prize awards. Achieving this goal will allow IWRBR to support all 120+ children in our after-school camps, which are completely free to the community. Every donation brings us closer to closing the achievement gap by addressing food insecurity, providing materials that enhance cognitive development, ensuring transportation, and organizing field trips aligned with our academic and enrichment activities.

You're invited to join us live on Facebook and Instagram all day on September 18th! Be sure to turn on your notifications so you don’t miss a moment. IWRBR staff will be visiting local businesses and community partners that are supporting us on this giving day.

Want to come to the party? Visit us at Hop Atomica (1318 McHenry St) from 6:00-10:00 PM for Disco fun, live updates on the day's progress, good pizza and drinks, and to mingle with like-minded, community focused friends!