Welcome to NYC Reads
We are a collaboration of 10 organizations working together in East New York, East Harlem, and South Jamaica to promote early literacy and improve outcomes for the children of our communities.
Our Shared Promise
NYC Reads makes a promise to our families and to our communities to promote early literacy everywhere through workshops, tutoring, read-alouds, book give-aways, and more.
Our organizations each offer families and children (from birth to 5th grade) free early literacy resources in homes, daycares, pediatric offices, schools, libraries, and other public spaces, like local stores and parks.
We believe that literacy is the key to all future learning, and, together, our goal is to ensure that every child in New York City develops reading proficiency and the skills to succeed in school and beyond.
We ask you—parents, caregivers, local businesses, and neighbors—to make this promise with us and to do your part to make early literacy a priority!
NYC Reads
Pledge
Make the NYC Reads Pledge to receive a free Reading Success Kit for your child or a window decal for your business.
What Reads Programs Are
Available for Your Child?
Serves: Parents, Children

Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) serves the borough’s 2.5 million residents, offering thousands of public programs, millions of books and use of more than 1,100 free internet-accessible computers. BPL offers innovative public programs that encourag… Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) serves the borough’s 2.5 million residents, offering thousands of public programs, millions of books and use of more than 1,100 free internet-accessible computers. BPL offers innovative public programs that encourage reading and academic achievement.
We offer:
- Diverse programs for all ages such as story hours and ready for kindergarten workshops
- Multilingual programs and staff
- Library card sign up
- Help for families to access countless resources provided by the library including books, ebooks, movies, and learning databases Free homework assistance for all grades through Brainfuse
- Support for schools to expand children’s exposure to the library and literacy through workshops, trips to the library, and guest authors
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Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) serves the borough’s 2.5 million residents, offering thousands of public programs, millions of books and use of more than 1,100 free internet-accessible computers. BPL offers innovative public programs that encourage reading and academic achievement.
We offer:
- Diverse programs for all ages such as story hours and ready for kindergarten workshops
- Multilingual programs and staff
- Library card sign up
- Help for families to access countless resources provided by the library including books, ebooks, movies, and learning databases Free homework assistance for all grades through Brainfuse
- Support for schools to expand children’s exposure to the library and literacy through workshops, trips to the library, and guest authors
Serves: Children

City Year City Year believes that all students can succeed and that developing the skills and mindsets of children and young adults contributes to strong, vibrant communities—outcomes that benefit all of us. City Year provides academic support and aftersc… City Year believes that all students can succeed and that developing the skills and mindsets of children and young adults contributes to strong, vibrant communities—outcomes that benefit all of us. City Year provides academic support and afterschool services for struggling public schools, with the goal of increasing graduation rates for students. To address the dropout crisis, City Year deploys teams of AmeriCorps members—idealistic, diverse, and energetic 17-24 year-olds – who work closely with youth to improve their attendance, behavior, and course performance in math and literacy. AmeriCorps members serve full-time as student success coaches, who partner with classroom teachers to help students cultivate key social, emotional and academic skills that are important in school and in life. Classrooms and students are identified by the school administration for participation in City Year support programming.
We offer:
- Student success coaches (AmeriCorps members) that work in partnership with classroom teachers
- Help to create environments where students can build on their strengths, take risks in their learning and feel connected to their school community
- Support for students to stay on track to graduate by improving their course performance, attendance and behavior
- One-on-one or small group tutoring and mentoring and additional support in classroom instruction
Close Contact Us
City Year believes that all students can succeed and that developing the skills and mindsets of children and young adults contributes to strong, vibrant communities—outcomes that benefit all of us. City Year provides academic support and afterschool services for struggling public schools, with the goal of increasing graduation rates for students. To address the dropout crisis, City Year deploys teams of AmeriCorps members—idealistic, diverse, and energetic 17-24 year-olds – who work closely with youth to improve their attendance, behavior, and course performance in math and literacy. AmeriCorps members serve full-time as student success coaches, who partner with classroom teachers to help students cultivate key social, emotional and academic skills that are important in school and in life. Classrooms and students are identified by the school administration for participation in City Year support programming.
We offer:
- Student success coaches (AmeriCorps members) that work in partnership with classroom teachers
- Help to create environments where students can build on their strengths, take risks in their learning and feel connected to their school community
- Support for students to stay on track to graduate by improving their course performance, attendance and behavior
- One-on-one or small group tutoring and mentoring and additional support in classroom instruction
Serves: Parents, Children

Literacy Inc When a child reads, a community succeeds! Literacy Inc (LINC) works at the intersection of education and community development to address the literacy crisis facing New York City. Our community literacy model surrounds families – in schools,… When a child reads, a community succeeds! Literacy Inc (LINC) works at the intersection of education and community development to address the literacy crisis facing New York City. Our community literacy model surrounds families – in schools, libraries, day care centers, parks and other public spaces – with early literacy-building programs for children from birth-kindergarten and their parents. The result is confident parents who lead daily reading routines with their children, community partners that support and reinforce our mission, and children that are enthusiastic readers who succeed. All of our programs are free and many are open to the public.
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When a child reads, a community succeeds! Literacy Inc (LINC) works at the intersection of education and community development to address the literacy crisis facing New York City. Our community literacy model surrounds families – in schools, libraries, day care centers, parks and other public spaces – with early literacy-building programs for children from birth-kindergarten and their parents. The result is confident parents who lead daily reading routines with their children, community partners that support and reinforce our mission, and children that are enthusiastic readers who succeed. All of our programs are free and many are open to the public.
CloseServes: Parents, Children

New York Public Library New York Public Library offers free bilingual storytimes, play programs and art activities for children of all ages across neighborhood libraries. Each library hosts a variety of free children’s programming that encourages reading, playing, … New York Public Library offers free bilingual storytimes, play programs and art activities for children of all ages across neighborhood libraries. Each library hosts a variety of free children’s programming that encourages reading, playing, talking and singing with your child. With a free library card you can check out books, early learning tablets, STEAM activity kits, e-books, DVDs and more! Go to the New York Public Library website to see what free programs are happening today and check out the online resources including free tutoring, multilingual storytime videos and at-home activity guides. East Harlem Reads partnership programs can be found at the Aguilar, 125th Street and Harlem branch libraries.
Close Contact Us
New York Public Library offers free bilingual storytimes, play programs and art activities for children of all ages across neighborhood libraries. Each library hosts a variety of free children’s programming that encourages reading, playing, talking and singing with your child. With a free library card you can check out books, early learning tablets, STEAM activity kits, e-books, DVDs and more! Go to the New York Public Library website to see what free programs are happening today and check out the online resources including free tutoring, multilingual storytime videos and at-home activity guides. East Harlem Reads partnership programs can be found at the Aguilar, 125th Street and Harlem branch libraries.
CloseServes: Parents

ParentChild+ ParentChild+ works to close the achievement gap by giving parents tools, skills, and encouragement to prepare their children for school success. The evidence-based program provides a two-year cycle of twice weekly home visits to two-to-four-year-o… ParentChild+ works to close the achievement gap by giving parents tools, skills, and encouragement to prepare their children for school success. The evidence-based program provides a two-year cycle of twice weekly home visits to two-to-four-year-olds and their parents. Using books and educational toys that are gifts to the family, trained home visitors model reading, play, and conversation activities, building language-rich home environments, increasing positive parent-child interaction, and developing pre-literacy and social-emotional skills that are essential for school success.
Close Contact Us
ParentChild+ works to close the achievement gap by giving parents tools, skills, and encouragement to prepare their children for school success. The evidence-based program provides a two-year cycle of twice weekly home visits to two-to-four-year-olds and their parents. Using books and educational toys that are gifts to the family, trained home visitors model reading, play, and conversation activities, building language-rich home environments, increasing positive parent-child interaction, and developing pre-literacy and social-emotional skills that are essential for school success.
CloseServes: Parents, Children

Queens Public Library Queens Public Library (QPL) transforms lives and builds strong communities by cultivating personal and intellectual growth. QPL serves the borough’s 2.3 million residents, offering thousands of public programs, millions of books, and use of more… Queens Public Library (QPL) transforms lives and builds strong communities by cultivating personal and intellectual growth. QPL serves the borough’s 2.3 million residents, offering thousands of public programs, millions of books, and use of more than 1,000 free internet-accessible computers. QPL offers innovative public programs that encourage reading including: Summer Reading, Toddler Learning Centers for early learners, homework assistance for school-aged children, family literacy programs and educational collections, references and materials. Through all of this, QPL contributes to an empowered society that is vibrant, informed, and cohesive.
We offer:
- Fun, educational, literacy and cultural programs for the whole family
- Multilingual programs and staff
- Library card sign up
- Homework help free of charge for students in all grades
- Access to many resources including books, ebooks, movies, and learning databases
- Opportunities to engage with students at local schools
Close Contact Us
Queens Public Library (QPL) transforms lives and builds strong communities by cultivating personal and intellectual growth. QPL serves the borough’s 2.3 million residents, offering thousands of public programs, millions of books, and use of more than 1,000 free internet-accessible computers. QPL offers innovative public programs that encourage reading including: Summer Reading, Toddler Learning Centers for early learners, homework assistance for school-aged children, family literacy programs and educational collections, references and materials. Through all of this, QPL contributes to an empowered society that is vibrant, informed, and cohesive.
We offer:
- Fun, educational, literacy and cultural programs for the whole family
- Multilingual programs and staff
- Library card sign up
- Homework help free of charge for students in all grades
- Access to many resources including books, ebooks, movies, and learning databases
- Opportunities to engage with students at local schools
Serves: Parents, Children

Reach Out and Read of Greater New York Reach Out and Read of Greater New York (ROR GNY) prepares children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. Doctors, nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals incorporat… Reach Out and Read of Greater New York (ROR GNY) prepares children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. Doctors, nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals incorporate Reach Out and Read’s evidence-based model into regular pediatric checkups, by talking to parents about the importance of reading aloud and giving developmentally-appropriate books to children. The program begins at the six-month checkup and continues through age 5. Families served by Reach Out and Read read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills, and a six-month developmental edge. This provides a solid foundation for success in school.
Close Contact Us
Reach Out and Read of Greater New York (ROR GNY) prepares children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together. Doctors, nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals incorporate Reach Out and Read’s evidence-based model into regular pediatric checkups, by talking to parents about the importance of reading aloud and giving developmentally-appropriate books to children. The program begins at the six-month checkup and continues through age 5. Families served by Reach Out and Read read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills, and a six-month developmental edge. This provides a solid foundation for success in school.
CloseServes: Children

Read Alliance Read Alliance (READ) works to accelerate the educational trajectory of early elementary students through the power of teens who provide one-to-one literacy tutoring. READ’s dual-impact model addresses the achievement gap for young students while… Read Alliance (READ) works to accelerate the educational trajectory of early elementary students through the power of teens who provide one-to-one literacy tutoring. READ’s dual-impact model addresses the achievement gap for young students while engaging youth in serving their communities as paid reading tutors. Read Alliance provides students with the building blocks to academic success. While early literacy remains at the core of our mission, our unique model also employs teens to tutor their younger peers, tackling a secondary challenge of youth unemployment, particularly among low-income, young people of color. READ students receive the one-to-one support in foundational reading skills they require to catch up to their peers, and gain the confidence to thrive academically in their classrooms. READ TeenLeaders gain meaningful after school and summer employment, become economically empowered, gain college focus, learn important professional skills, and serve as role models for their younger counterparts. READ works with students in Kindergarten – 2nd grade. Students are selected for participation by teachers and school administrators.
We offer:
- A one-to-one learning opportunity twice-a-week after school for 45 sessions led by high school Teen Leaders
- Reading instruction and homework help
- Youth employment and professional skills for teens recruited from local high schools
Close Contact Us
Read Alliance (READ) works to accelerate the educational trajectory of early elementary students through the power of teens who provide one-to-one literacy tutoring. READ’s dual-impact model addresses the achievement gap for young students while engaging youth in serving their communities as paid reading tutors. Read Alliance provides students with the building blocks to academic success. While early literacy remains at the core of our mission, our unique model also employs teens to tutor their younger peers, tackling a secondary challenge of youth unemployment, particularly among low-income, young people of color. READ students receive the one-to-one support in foundational reading skills they require to catch up to their peers, and gain the confidence to thrive academically in their classrooms. READ TeenLeaders gain meaningful after school and summer employment, become economically empowered, gain college focus, learn important professional skills, and serve as role models for their younger counterparts. READ works with students in Kindergarten – 2nd grade. Students are selected for participation by teachers and school administrators.
We offer:
- A one-to-one learning opportunity twice-a-week after school for 45 sessions led by high school Teen Leaders
- Reading instruction and homework help
- Youth employment and professional skills for teens recruited from local high schools
Serves: Children

Reading Partners Reading Partners students become lifelong readers. Empowered community volunteers are connected to elementary students in kindergarten – 4th grade for individualized one-on-one tutoring. Sessions are delivered twice per week for 45 minutes and r… Reading Partners students become lifelong readers. Empowered community volunteers are connected to elementary students in kindergarten – 4th grade for individualized one-on-one tutoring. Sessions are delivered twice per week for 45 minutes and result in proud confident readers, excited about learning and ready for success. Through this work Reading Partners helps ensure that every child in NYC has the literacy skills needed to reach their full potential in the classroom and beyond.
We offer:
- One-on-one tutoring twice per week during 45 minute sessions
- Trained community volunteers who work individually with students in K-4th grade
- An easy-to-use curriculum to help students gain the skills needed to be independent and successful readers
Close Contact Us
Reading Partners students become lifelong readers. Empowered community volunteers are connected to elementary students in kindergarten – 4th grade for individualized one-on-one tutoring. Sessions are delivered twice per week for 45 minutes and result in proud confident readers, excited about learning and ready for success. Through this work Reading Partners helps ensure that every child in NYC has the literacy skills needed to reach their full potential in the classroom and beyond.
We offer:
- One-on-one tutoring twice per week during 45 minute sessions
- Trained community volunteers who work individually with students in K-4th grade
- An easy-to-use curriculum to help students gain the skills needed to be independent and successful readers
Serves: Parents, Children

Springboard Collaborative Springboard Collaborative works with students from Pre-K – 4th grade. Springboard’s summer and after school programs close the literacy gap by closing the gap between home and school. Teachers and parents receive coaching to work together sett… Springboard Collaborative works with students from Pre-K – 4th grade. Springboard’s summer and after school programs close the literacy gap by closing the gap between home and school. Teachers and parents receive coaching to work together setting goals, practicing reading, measuring progress and celebrating success. Students are identified for participation based on recommendations from school teachers and administrators.
Close Contact Us
Springboard Collaborative works with students from Pre-K – 4th grade. Springboard’s summer and after school programs close the literacy gap by closing the gap between home and school. Teachers and parents receive coaching to work together setting goals, practicing reading, measuring progress and celebrating success. Students are identified for participation based on recommendations from school teachers and administrators.
CloseWhat Reads Resources
Are Available?
Serves: Parents, Children 
New York Public Library
Family Fun for Everyone
Access dozens of literacy programs perfect for your family.
Access dozens of literacy programs perfect for your family.
CloseServes: Parents, Children 
Literacy Inc
Reading EverywhereWednesdays at 4pm
Wednesdays at 4pm
Interactive event for parents and children to enjoy a story, participate in conversation, songs and simple crafts.
Interactive event for parents and children to enjoy a story, participate in conversation, songs and simple crafts.
CloseServes: Parents, Children 
Brooklyn Public Library
Family Fun for Everyone
Access dozens of literacy programs perfect for your family.
Access dozens of literacy programs perfect for your family.
CloseServes: Parents, Children 
Queens Public Library
Family Fun for Everyone
Access dozens of literacy programs perfect for your family.
Access dozens of literacy programs perfect for your family.
CloseServes: Parents, Children 
Reach Out and Read of Greater New York
Parent / Caregiver WorkshopsOnce per month
Once per month
Join Reads Partner Reach Out and Read of Greater New York for monthly informational workshops on topics and activities related to …
Join Reads Partner Reach Out and Read of Greater New York for monthly informational workshops on topics and activities related to early literacy and virtual read alouds. All workshops are in English and Spanish. Sign up for Reach Out and Read’s Newsletter to learn more.
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