At RISE Augusta, the goal isn't simply helping children answer questions correctly on a test. It's helping young people develop skills they can continue using throughout their lives. A stronger reader has more opportunities to learn, communicate, explore, and grow.

This Halloween, ask your child: “If you could dress up as ANY character from a book, who would you choose?” Then read the book together! It turns a Halloween costume into a conversation about characters, stories, imagination, and reading.

Kids may not remember every worksheet. They may not remember every spelling word. But they probably remember the person who sat beside them when reading was difficult. That's one reason volunteer support is such an important part of the work happening through RISE Augusta.

Give your child a weekend challenge: Find a book about something you know absolutely nothing about. -Dinosaurs. -Space. -Ancient civilizations. -Animals. -A sport you've never played. -A place you've never visited. Then spend a few minutes exploring it together.

Collecting books is part of a larger mission to improve literacy opportunities for families in our community. So the next time you find yourself with books your family has outgrown, don't think of them as clutter. Think of them as stories waiting for their next reader!

We believe children deserve opportunities to develop their literacy skills while discovering what makes reading meaningful to them. That might happen through tutoring, access to books, encouragement from a mentor, or because someone finally puts the right story into their hands.

Looking for a Little Spooky Fun? October is basically an invitation to break out the mystery, monsters, ghosts, and creepy stories! Reading doesn't always have to be quiet and serious. This October, let your child's interests lead the way to a good book.

October is a great excuse to talk about something we already love: BOOKS! This October, celebrate National Book Month by sharing a favorite book with a child. Better yet, ask them: What's a book YOU love? You might just discover their next favorite story together.

It looks like teachers noticing when a student needs help. It looks like volunteers giving time. It looks like mentors showing up. It looks like businesses supporting literacy programs. It looks like families asking for help when they need it. That's the heart of RISE Augusta.

Head over to the RISE Augusta YouTube channel and find a story to read with your child today. Local community members read books aloud so children can enjoy stories from home. It's completely FREE. Just a child, a story, and a few minutes to listen

Reading together can happen anywhere! Start small. Read a few pages. Talk about the pictures. Let your child choose the book. Reading together isn't just about finishing a book. It's about building vocabulary, comprehension, curiosity, and connection.

RISE Augusta has several ways community members can get involved, including: -Collecting and donating books -Making a one-time donation -Volunteering to tutor students -Sharing your knowledge or skills -Sponsoring or participating in a special event

Walking into your 1st interview or job can be intimidating. Knowing how to communicate and navigate the workplace doesn't always come naturally. If you know someone ages 17–22 who could benefit from workforce development support, STRIVE may be a great place to start.

Don't assume they're “just not a reader.” Finding the right book to spark their love of reading can take time! Try starting with what your child already loves. -Sports? Find a sports biography. -Humor? Joke books count! -Animals? There's an entire world of nonfiction.

RISE Augusta offers FREE after-school literacy tutoring for students in kindergarten through third grade who need additional reading support. Spots can fill quickly, so families interested in learning more should reach out to Ms. Slaby at [email protected]

Last year, RISE Augusta volunteers spent a combined 4,890 hours reading in area classrooms. That's 4,890 hours of encouragement, conversation, and connection. We welcome people who want to share their time and encouragement with local students. bit.ly/3Asarap.

Instead of asking your child, “How was school?”, try: 👉 “What made you smile today?” 👉 “What was the most interesting thing you learned?” 👉 “Who did you sit with today?” 👉 “Did anything funny happen?” 👉 “What was something that was hard today?”

When you donate a book to RISE Augusta, you're not simply clearing a shelf...you're helping put books into the hands of local children and families. One book may seem small. But when a community keeps putting books into children's hands, the impact adds up!

Through wrap-around services, RISE Augusta can help address needs like an eye exam and glasses. Maybe a student is coming to school hungry. The goal is simple: look at the whole child and help remove barriers that stand between them and success.

Want to encourage your child to read more? -Let them choose the book. Even if it's a graphic novel, joke book, sports book, or a book they've already read 12 times. - Listen to an audiobook. -Read side-by-side instead of sitting down for a formal “reading session.”