LaShay D. Harris, the Vice President of the City Council, along with Councilmember Michael A. Patterson, introduced the Read Alliance program in Rochester, providing 90 students who will be in first, second, and third grades with fresh summer learning opportunities and creating jobs for 40 young people in Rochester.

Vice President Harris stated, "Our City's youngest learners will have access to early literacy opportunities this summer through this program. " Earlier this year, when I published the City Council Childhood Poverty Report, the primary suggestion from parents and community members was to provide more extracurricular options for our young people. This initiative aims to provide a secure and beneficial atmosphere that will enhance the reading abilities our students develop during the academic year, while also addressing the issue of learning loss that can occur during the summer.

A free reading program focused on phonics will be offered to students, led by paid youth tutors. This initiative aims to provide a friendly space for younger students to be guided by older companions while also generating summer job opportunities for young people in Rochester.

“Besides our efforts to help students in our City achieve solid reading skills during their early learning years, this program offers amazing summer job opportunities for older youth in Rochester,” Councilmember Patterson stated. "This program offers a range of opportunities for students from kindergarten all the way to high school. "

Managed by the local organization Primetime585, Read Alliance, which is based in New York City, is a program that connects peers to provide early literacy chances for young learners and children. For 25 years, the curriculum has been in use in New York City and is currently being implemented in Rochester, thanks to financial support from Vice President Harris and Councilmember Patterson for community-focused projects across Rochester.

The program takes place at RCSD School No. 16 and School No. 22, starting on July 7. The Read Alliance initiative will continue until August 14 as part of a sustained effort by the City Council to enhance summer learning options, particularly for young readers.

This initiative is a partnership involving the City Council and the RCSD, with essential backing obtained from Camille Simmons, the Board President of RCSD. Funding for the program was given by the City Council, while the RCSD is supplying the locations, instructors, and support staff.


By Denise Brown