Memphis Striving Readers is a community-driven literacy program aimed at improving reading skills for individuals and families across Memphis. We believe that literacy is a fundamental right and essential for personal and community growth.
Our program offers:
- Tutoring: Personalized tutoring sessions for children and adults to enhance reading proficiency.
- Family Reading Nights: Engaging events that encourage families to read together, fostering a love for literature in a supportive environment.
- Volunteer Training: Opportunities for community members to get involved and make a difference through training sessions for volunteers who wish to support our mission.
At Memphis Striving Readers, we strive to create a culture of literacy that empowers individuals and strengthens our community. Join us in our mission to promote reading and learning for all.
How We Approach Reading and Community
Reading difficulties rarely have a single cause, so our work starts with listening. A child who avoids books may be struggling with phonics, with vocabulary, or simply with confidence after years of feeling behind. An adult returning to reading may want to follow a prescription label, help with homework or prepare for a job application. We try to understand each reader's goals before choosing materials or setting a pace, because progress comes faster when the practice feels relevant.
Our tutoring draws on widely used, research-supported practices: building phonemic awareness and decoding skills, reading aloud for fluency, discussing stories to strengthen comprehension, and introducing new words in context. Sessions are kept consistent, since regular, predictable practice tends to matter more than occasional long sessions. Tutors keep simple notes so that each meeting builds on the last.
Why families are at the centre
Children spend far more time at home than in any tutoring session, which is why family reading nights are such an important part of what we do. These gatherings give parents, grandparents and caregivers practical ideas they can use every day: asking open questions about a picture book, letting a child retell a story in their own words, or turning a trip to the grocery store into a chance to read signs and labels. No one needs to be a strong reader themselves to support a child's literacy, and we aim to make every family feel welcome regardless of their own experience with school.
Rooted in Memphis
We see literacy as a shared responsibility across neighbourhoods, libraries, schools, faith groups and local organisations. By training volunteers from the community, we help keep that knowledge in the places where it is needed most. Volunteers often tell us they gain as much as they give, from patience and communication skills to a deeper connection with their city.
If you would like to see what we offer in more detail, visit our programs page. To get involved as a tutor or event helper, find out more on our volunteer page, or get in touch with any questions.
Also on this site: Events