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