Our Story

I’ll never forget the day everything changed for me. We were playing a word game, and I noticed something that stopped me in my tracks. Many of the kids—middle schoolers—were struggling to read the words. I couldn’t believe it. These weren’t difficult words, and yet they stumbled, hesitated, and sometimes gave up entirely. I knew right then that this wasn’t just a game; it was a glimpse into a much larger problem.

I was volunteering at my local church, which had opened its doors to neighborhood kids. The church wanted to create a safe space for children who often played on the sidewalks while waiting for their parents to come home from work. We called it “JAM.” We stocked the space with games and activities to keep the kids engaged, and it quickly became a hub of laughter and fun. However, at this moment, it wasn’t fun. 

I began researching and quickly learned that this wasn’t an isolated issue. Too many children in our community were struggling to read, and it wasn’t their fault. It was a systemic problem that left children behind, year after year. I wanted to help, but I knew I needed to understand more. I went back to school, studying sociology with a focus on education at The City College of New York. I wanted to learn how children develop literacy skills and how community spaces, like churches, could play a vital role in addressing this crisis.

Armed with new knowledge, we expanded JAM into an afterschool tutoring program. We started small, with just ten children. I’ll never forget their determination. All ten students showed incredible growth and passed their state exams that year. But then I met a boy who changed my perspective forever. Let’s call him “Chris”. He was in third grade and couldn’t read at all. Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t prepare him in time for the test, and he failed. It was heartbreaking. That experience taught me a critical lesson: we need to focus on prevention, not just intervention.

Determined to do more, I joined the City College of New York’s Community Engagement Cohort and secured a $5,000 grant. That’s how the Harlem Reading Project was born. We partnered with two Harlem schools, bringing in-class theatrical literacy workshops that combined a love for reading with foundational skills. The program was a success, and it only fueled my passion further.

In 2023, we launched a pilot program for early literacy, pairing 30 children with their families and volunteer reading mentors from local colleges and faith-based organizations. With training from the Reading Institute of NYC, these mentors worked closely with families, while literacy coaches guided parents on how to support their children at home. It was a proof of concept, and it worked.

Now, as the Harlem Literacy Project, we’re officially incorporated and more determined than ever. Our mission is to prevent literacy struggles before they begin by equipping children and families with the skills and support they need. What started as a small effort in a storefront church has grown into a community-driven movement that brings together schools, volunteers, and families to make sure every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Together, we’re building a stronger Harlem, one reader at a time.

Charity Reeves, Founder