Read to a Child

Read to a Child's Metro Detroit Advisory Board

Read to a Child of Metro Detroit's Board of Advisors is a group of dynamic local leaders who are dedicated to corporate philanthropy and specifically to the mission of Read to a Child. Board members lead all fundraising efforts to benefit the Read Aloud Mentoring Program in Metro Detroit by participating in all fundraising events, and introducing Read to a Child to their personal and professional network.

What is Read to a Child?

Read to a Child is a national literacy and mentoring non-profit that fosters a love of reading, improves literacy skills and supports socio-emotional well-being in students from under-resourced communities.

Read to a Child partners with thousands of community and corporate volunteer mentors from more than 150 local businesses and organizations who read one-on-one to elementary students at under-resourced schools in the greater metropolitan areas of Boston, Detroit, Hartford, Los Angeles and Miami.

Read to a Child’s mission is to foster a love of reading, improve literacy skills and support socio-emotional well-being in students from under-resourced communities. Read to a Child’s vision is that every child has the opportunity to thrive in school and beyond through inspirational mentoring and read-aloud experiences.

What is the Read Aloud Mentoring Program?

In Read to a Child’s Read Aloud Mentoring Program, an adult is partnered one-on-one with a student attending one of our partner elementary schools for a rewarding, weekly read aloud experience. The relationship typically lasts for the entire school year and often extends for multiple years through the end of fourth grade. Reading pairs are supported by an on-site Program Coordinator, employed by Read to a Child, and are provided access to a wide selection of appropriate books to read. Most recently, Read to a Child has added a virtual component to the program, enabling mentors and children to connect online via Zoom or Google Meets.

Regional board members will:

• Make a meaningful annual personal contribution to support local programming. Metro Detroit board members are expected to become members of the Leadership Giving Circle by donating $1,000 or more annually.
• Help in raising significant funds for the Metro Detroit program by achieving annual "Get" of at least $2,500.
• Act as an advocate and community representative for Read to a Child.
• Participate and provide leadership in all Read to a Child events by assisting in securing sponsorships and support from individuals.
• Provide introductions to potential funders including your own company, and companies and influential individuals in your network.
• Participate as a Read Aloud Mentoring Program reading mentor if at all possible or visit a program site with local Read to a Child staff at least once per year.
• Attend and participate in monthly board meetings held both virtually and in-person.
• Assist with volunteer recruitment by making introductions to companies or community groups interested in partnering with Read to a Child.