IRIS Literacy Project

Program Overview

The IRIS Literacy Project wants to start children on the road to success by bringing the fun of reading into their lives. We want to help all children become readers, but the playing field is not level. There is a strong correlation between poverty and low reading scores. Children who do not have books and other reading material in their homes are less likely to become readers. Far too many of our children are reading below grade level.

We are committed to giving books by themselves will not necessarily create readers. Children need to hear the book read aloud. Studies show that hearing a book read helps children build cognitive and language skills and improves comprehension. However, many children do not have adults in their home to read to them. So, we built this concept into our vision. All IRIS books have an embedded video accessible by a QR code. When it is clicked, a video opens, and the child can hear and see someone reading the book. We think this is so important that we carry the concept in our name: Interactive Reading can Impact Success.

On January 1, 2024, the IRIS Literacy Project was officially incorporated as a business with the Department of State of Pennsylvania and we filed the appropriate paperwork to become tax-exempt under IRIC Code 501(C) (3). Members of my advisory group became the official Board of Directors of the IRIS Literacy Project. After a year and half of planning that included a pilot program, I am proud to say that the IRIS Literacy Project will offer our services at seven sites during 2025.

Cost Info