Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau

The Boys & Girls Club’s mission is “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.” At the Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau (BGCP), creative programming and open dialogue with parents and teachers help us discern where we can be of greatest service. For some of our members, this takes the form of targeted academic programming, particularly reading instruction.

Literacy is a national crisis, with 2024 statistics marking a historic low. According to the Department of Education, only 35% of public-school students are proficient in reading in fourth grade, and less than a quarter of the remaining 65% will find their way to proficiency. Children with low literacy rates are much more likely to skip or drop out of school and to exhibit behavioral issues that may well bleed into adulthood. According to data compiled by the National Center for Education, two out of three students who are not proficient in reading by the end of fourth grade will end up in jail or on welfare.

In the hopes of being part of the solution, we introduced Read to Learn in the fall of 2023. Read to Learn is a targeted, one-on-one tutoring program based on the nationally acclaimed Wilson Reading System, an Orton-Gillingham-inspired curriculum with a strong phonics base and an emphasis on multi-sensory instruction. It was curated to specifically meet the needs of BGCP members and to expedite the learning process. Each member is assigned a specific tutor with whom he or she will meet twice a week for an hour each session. Members will stay in the program until reading proficiency, which often takes 2 to 3 years. The program began with 5 members and now has twelve.

For greatest impact, we focus on first through fourth grades, recognizing the profound shift in fourth grade from learning-to-read to reading-to-learn. Children with dyslexia and other learning challenges are not only bright, but often exceptionally bright, and are well aware when they are falling behind. This can impact their confidence and sense of self, so early intervention is critical.

Initial results are exciting, showing a steady and across-the-board increase in members’ ability to read and spell. Their handwriting, comprehension, reading fluency and confidence also improved. In the 2023-2024 school year, nine of the ten members enrolled in Read to Learn improved their overall GPA from the first to the fourth quarter, and seven of those nine improved from below average to above average. Most excitingly, seven of our twelve members successfully completed the program in May of this year. In April, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America awarded the Read to Learn program the 2025 North Carolina Academic Excellence Award, which recognizes one program that has had a significant impact on the youth they serve. 

To ensure the program's integrity as it grows, we recruited Vicky Robson in February. Vicky is a seasoned and talented Wilson tutor who has become integral to the program and is a constant source of support to members and tutors. I am a certified Orton-Gillingham Practitioner and Educator with twenty years of tutoring experience. Together, we work hard to assess our members’ challenges and identify their learning styles. We also work closely with each volunteer to ensure their tutoring experience is positive and begins with a set of clear intentions. Later, if an adjustment is needed, tutors rely on us to listen and respond.

Our success, however, lies with our dedicated volunteer tutors, who commit not only to extensive initial training and continuing education, but also to the child. When a child grows to trust a mentor, we know we are succeeding. As a third-grade member shared, “It’s awesome because it’s a lot of games that make learning fun.” Another third grader added, “I wish I could come every day. The way they teach makes me feel smart.” And finally, a member who has been in the program for almost two years stated, “It’s my favorite thing.”

This appreciation goes both ways. As Dr. Pat Morse, a board member and tutor said, “My experiences with Read to Learn have been amazing. While I know the children have benefited, I know also that the tutors have benefited. I learned patience, a sense of personal reward, and hope for the wellbeing of the children of our community. The learning is fun, and the relationships that develop between tutors and students are special bonding experiences for both.”

Denice Dunn, a board member and tutor who will begin her third year in the fall, stated, “I’m incredibly impressed by the energy and dedication shown toward each student. The one-on-one instruction is invaluable, allowing children to progress at their own pace without the pressure of their peers. The improvement in their reading skills and self-confidence is remarkable.”

This self-confidence can change a child’s future. As Eleanor Welling, a veteran tutor and former board member said, “When I started with my student, he was constantly fearful of making a mistake when he was reading or if I asked him a question. You wouldn’t recognize that boy today. He has grown significantly in confidence and proficiency. He is so proud of his achievements, and this thrills me. I rank my participation in the Read to Learn program as the highlight of my many years of volunteer work. It is making a life-changing difference in the lives of our young participants.” 

To ensure BGCP can serve all members, the Read to Learn program is provided at no cost to families. “This includes all materials necessary for grade level proficiency and the time and dedication of our amazing volunteer tutors, without whom we could not provide this level of support free of charge,” stated Carmen Waite, Club CEO.

BGCP welcomes all support for this program. If you are interested in becoming a tutor or making a donation, please contact me directly at lisa@bgcplateau.org or (404) 226-7567.