This letter is inspired by countless stories we’ve heard from the children our Literacy Mentors work with. The name and details are fabricated below for privacy.
Hi,
My name is Moses. I’m in 2nd grade. I want to tell you something.
At the beginning of the year, reading was really hard for me. I didn’t know a lot of words yet. When I saw a big word, I just stared at it and hoped no one would ask me to read it. Sometimes my throat felt tight. I didn’t want to look dumb.
Then I started reading with Ms. C.
She sits right next to me and helps me with the words that make me get stuck. She doesn’t get mad when I mess up. She just says, “Let’s try it together.” She helps me sound out the “struggling words.” (That’s what I call them.)
The first time I read a sentence all by myself, she smiled at me, and I felt… kind of tall. Like my chest got bigger. I didn’t feel scared anymore.
Now I feel different.
Now I feel brave when I read.
Now I can read more words than before.
Now I get better scores on my tests.
Ms. C brings things that help me like little books, cards, markers, a whiteboard. It doesn’t look fancy, but it works. I like when she circles the word and says, “You got this,” because then I can actually do it.
She told me that people help pay for these things. People who want kids like me to learn and not feel scared.
So… thank you.
And I hope other kids can get help like I did, because reading feels good now.
From,
Moses
A 2nd grader learning big words
A Note From Andrew Feil, Executive Director
If you’re reading Moses’ letter, then you’re someone who cares about the future of Fresno. We need people like you right now.
The reality is simple: more children in our city need help than we currently have resources for. Our Literacy Mentors are ready. The kids are eager. But we do not have enough literacy kits, books, and basic tools to meet the need in every classroom asking for support.
If you want to help more students like Moses, I invite you to give toward the supplies our Literacy Mentors rely on every day. Your support helps students succeed now and builds the kind of Fresno we all want to live in.
…and, just so you know, our work doesn’t stop with literacy. ENP is also helping create safe spaces where kids can play on a Saturday and gardens their families can pick fresh fruit from!
So when you donate to ENP, you’re not just funding things like literacy kits.
You’re strengthening the entire neighborhood where Moses will grow up.
We can’t do that without you.
Thank you for loving this city and the next generation.
— Andrew Feil
Executive Director
Every Neighborhood Partnership