Welcome to Sparking Literacy, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit

“All of us are in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” Oscar Wilde

The Problem

There is a literacy crisis. One in four kids in America grows up without learning to read. . While 53% of 4th graders say they read for pleasure, only 20% of 8th graders say the same. 25% of high school freshman struggle to read a newspaper, let alone their textbooks. Yet, most literacy programs are aimed at younger children.  These teens fall through the cracks.

The Impact

90% of high school dropouts are on welfare.

The link between low literacy and violence is well documented. Three out of five imprisoned Americans have difficulties with reading.

50% of Americans have low reading comprehension leading them to struggle with simple tasks such as understanding prescription drug labels. Low literacy directly costs the healthcare industry over $70 million.

2/3 of students who cannot read by the end of 4th grade end up in jail or on welfare, costing Americans up to $2.2 trillion annually.

Only 1 in 300 underprivileged teens owns a book of their own.

The Solution

Reading for pleasure improves literacy rates, prevents dropouts, and changes the future for young people.

Through partnerships with tutoring originations, schools and community organizations, Sparking Literacy provides inspiring author events, writing workshops, book clubs, and literacy festivals.