Introduction: A Strategic Investment in the Future
A literate society is a thriving society. For children, literacy is the key that unlocks a lifetime of potential, building the capable workforce and engaged citizens of tomorrow. Yet, a significant challenge remains: dyslexia, a common learning difference that affects an estimated one in five children. Dyslexia makes reading, writing, and spelling difficult, often leading to a cycle of academic struggles, reduced confidence, and limited future opportunities. Without intervention, 74% of struggling third-grade readers will remain poor readers in the ninth grade and beyond, with long-term effects that can include lower graduation rates and reduced employment opportunities.
This is a challenge we can and must solve. For more than 40 years, the Children’s Dyslexia Centers have been a beacon of hope, working to break this cycle. Our mission is simple yet profound: to provide free, one-on-one, evidence-based tutoring to children with dyslexia, empowering them to read, learn, and succeed. By addressing this challenge head-on, we are not only changing individual lives but also making a strategic investment in the well-being and economic vitality of our communities.
Our Mission and Impact
The Children’s Dyslexia Centers are dedicated to three core pillars:
• Student Education and Support: We help students find success. We provide free, high-quality, one-on-one tutoring that gives each child the personalized support they need. Our structured literacy approach is a proven model, helping over 90% of our students succeed and gain one to two reading levels each year. This early intervention also significantly reduces the need for costly special education services later on—by as much as 40%.
• Educator Certification: We train and certify dedicated educators in the specialized methods required to teach children with dyslexia, creating a growing network of skilled professionals across the country. More than 4,200 educators have been certified through our rigorous training program.
• Scientific Research: We are committed to advancing the field of dyslexia education by supporting ongoing scientific research.
Since our inception, the Children’s Dyslexia Centers have helped more than 16,000 children read and succeed in school and life. We have delivered an estimated $200 million in services, all at no or minimal cost to the families we serve. However, with more than 21 million adults and children in our service area alone potentially affected by dyslexia, the need far outpaces our current capacity. Our centers in 16 states often have waiting lists, a clear sign of the urgent demand for our services.
Why Your Support Matters
Your investment in the Children’s Dyslexia Centers is an investment in human potential and community resilience. It is an act of foresight that yields measurable, long-term returns for individuals and society as a whole.
• For Corporations: Supporting our work aligns with your social responsibility commitments, enhances your corporate brand, and improves employee engagement through volunteerism. Beyond the altruistic benefits, this is a strategic move to build a stronger future talent pipeline. By fostering a literate and capable workforce, you are directly contributing to the economic health of the regions where you operate, ensuring a pool of skilled employees who can innovate and lead. The investment demonstrates a deep commitment to the community, which resonates with both customers and future talent.
• For Foundations and High Net Worth Individuals: Your support allows us to expand our reach, ensuring that every child has access to the life-changing services they need, regardless of their family’s financial situation. You are making a transformative and lasting impact. By removing financial barriers, you are giving a child the gift of reading and creating a ripple effect of success that strengthens families, communities, and our collective future. This support enables us to reduce our extensive waiting lists and bring our proven, evidence-based program to more children, creating a legacy of empowerment and opportunity.
• For Government Entities: Investing in early literacy intervention is a highly cost-effective strategy that reduces long-term expenses related to special education, dropout rates, and criminal justice—as more than 70% of prison inmates are functionally illiterate. By providing this crucial support at an early age, we can help break the school-to-prison pipeline and lower societal costs associated with illiteracy, unemployment, and crime. This is a fiscal and ethical imperative, a proactive investment in the public good that pays dividends for generations.
The return on investment in literacy is profound. It leads to better academic performance, better graduation rates, and greater economic contribution for individuals. It fosters empathy and civic responsibility, creating a more cohesive and engaged citizenry. A child who learns to read not only succeeds in the classroom but gains the ability to fully participate in democracy and civic life. By empowering them with literacy, we are helping to build a more just and equitable society for all.
Conclusion: Join the Movement
The Children’s Dyslexia Centers are a proven model with a compelling mission. By partnering with us, you are not just funding a program—you are investing in the very fabric of our communities. Join us in this essential work. Together, we can unlock the potential in every child and turn reading struggles into success stories.