ARISE2Read

Mission: Through one-to-one connections with students, ARISE2Read improves literacy skills, provides faith-based support, and collaborates to strengthen the community.

Vision: A community where every child is literate, feels valued, and is capable of realizing their God-given potential.

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Program Highlights

• One-to-One Tutoring: Volunteers engage with students twice a week during the school day, fostering academic improvement, social skills, and motivation to learn.

• Literacy Gap Reduction: Targeting early elementary students, ARISE2Read provides foundational literacy support through one-to-one tutoring and volunteer training.

• Book Distribution: Hosts several events annually, distributing a minimum of 8–12 books per student to build home libraries. In the past school year, 43,000 books were distributed to Memphis Shelby County Schools students.

• After-School Bible Clubs: Offers faith-based programs teaching the Bible and discipleship in select schools.

Community Impact

• Growth in Literacy: Students participating in the program last year gained an average of 327 sight words—equivalent to 3.5 grade levels of improvement.

• Broad Outreach: ARISE2Read works across 40 schools in Memphis, supported by over 700 volunteers.

• Book Distribution: Nearly 4,000 students received Thanksgiving books, with an equivalent effort planned for Christmas.

Support ARISE2Read

• Pray

  • Pray for the success of ARISE2Read’s efforts to close the literacy gap, ensuring every child in Memphis has access to foundational reading skills.

  • Lift up the volunteers, so that they remain encouraged and motivated in their service.

  • Pray for continued partnerships and resources to sustain and expand ARISE2Read’s ministry.

• Give

  • Purchase books for second-grade students, empowering them with foundational literacy skills, https://arise2read.org/donate/.

• Go (Serving Opportunities)

  • Volunteer as a Reading Tutor: Serve as a tutor for second-grade students. Volunteers meet at Cornerstone Elementary (320 Carpenter Street, Memphis, TN 38112) on Monday and Wednesday from 11:40 am - 12:40 pm) to teach 2nd grade students site words. Contact Courtney Merriman for more details, courtneym@christchurchmemphis.org. Volunteers must complete a training program on literacy methods, child safety, and cultural sensitivity before serving as a tutor.

Ministry Champion

Beth Vanderjagt