Albuquerque Reads, a long-standing literacy program by the Chamber, is providing end-of-year bags filled with items from sponsors to its students. The initiative, in collaboration with Albuquerque Public Schools, focuses on enhancing literacy among kindergarten and first-grade students in Title I schools through one-on-one reading sessions. For over two decades, the program has placed reading tutors in schools, dedicating 90 minutes weekly to each student. The program's curriculum is designed and supervised by teachers, and it ensures that each child receives at least 20 books annually to encourage reading at home.
"Sponsors help us continue to make the program fun and educational,” said a representative from the Chamber. Notable sponsors this year include the Albuquerque Community Foundation, James Danneskiold, Daniel’s Fund, DSRM National Bank-Valero, Exxon Mobile, Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation, Kars 4 Kids, New Mexico Children’s Foundation, Nusenda Credit Union, PNM, Sandia National Laboratories, United Supermarkets – Albertsons, and the United Way of North Central New Mexico.
This year, the program, supported by these sponsors and 169 tutors, has tutored 130 students monthly, provided two take-home books to 200 students monthly—totaling 4,300 books for the year—and distributed backpacks and school supplies to over 200 students in December.
To further enrich the students' experience, the Chamber, in partnership with Albertsons, Pizza 9, Chili’s, Explora, NM Natural History Museum Foundation, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Read to Me, Intel, Costco, and Jason’s Deli, has prepared end-of-year tote bags with books for summer reading.
"We at the Chamber are very dedicated to Albuquerque Reads and are so impressed with the progress the students make every year," commented the Chamber representative.
Those interested in becoming a tutor or supporting the initiative can visit abqreads.com or contact program director Kayla Nelson at [email protected] or (505) 843-7323.
