Literacy Launchpad
Unlocking Potential: Expanding Our Space to Transform Lives
A cornerstone of the community, I Would Rather Be Reading (IWRBR) stands in the heart of Louisville. Imagine a future where our space knows no bounds – where walls give way to boundless opportunities. With your support, we are writing a new chapter for I Would Rather Be Reading, where expanded facilities will not only alleviate the strain on our current operations but the Literacy Launchpad will pave the way for transformative initiatives.
The Vision
At I Would Rather Be Reading, our vision is to create a community where every child has the opportunity to unlock their full potential through the transformative power of literacy and education. With our capital campaign, we aim to turn this vision into reality by expanding our impact and reach.
The Promise of Expansion
IWRBR occupies a portion of the building located at 828 S 6th Street. The multifaceted demands on our space strain our capacity to deliver our programs effectively. Our space, while bustling and intentional, struggles to accommodate the diverse needs of our organization. Currently, we are using one large room for all of the following:
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Collaborative Workspace: Used daily for brainstorming sessions to project execution, our staff relies on this space for seamless collaboration.
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Training Facility: Essential training sessions for both staff and volunteers are conducted here, including those crucial to the success of our Literacy Launchpad initiative.
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Community Learning Space: Our space serves as a vital setting for crucial meetings and workshops where decisions are made to drive our mission forward.
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Board Room & Meeting Space: With no dedicated meeting area, important discussions, strategy sessions, and board meetings take place in the same shared space, limiting privacy and efficiency.
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Resource Center: Our flagship program, Educate & Elevate, faces logistical challenges due to space constraints, impacting its reach and effectiveness.
Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders: Our Vision for Expansion
At the heart of our expansion lies the promise of reaching more students, unlocking their potential, and shaping a brighter future for our community. Here's how the enhanced capacity of our space will empower us to make a difference:
1. IWRBR’s current training space has reached maximum capacity, limiting the number of tutors we can train at one time. At present, we can only accommodate 15 tutors per session, directly impacting the number of families we can serve. By expanding the training classroom at the Literacy Launchpad, we will be able to train up to 40 tutors at a time, significantly increasing our capacity to support more families. This larger space will also function as a collaborative workspace for meetings and networking events, strengthening our community connections. Additionally, it will serve as a state-of-the-art training facility equipped with cutting-edge technology and interactive learning tools.
2.The new Tutor Lab will be the central hub where tutors can access additional materials to personalize their small group literacy sessions and one-on-one reading interventions. This space will be stocked with a wide range of resources—including engaging books, educational games, and curriculum guides—designed to meet the unique needs of each learner. Tutors will also receive specialized training from the tutor coach in this space, both through scheduled sessions and as needed, ensuring they are fully equipped with the skills and materials necessary for student success.
3.As part of our proposed buildout, we are introducing Support Suites designed for one-on-one sessions with behavior and literacy intervention coaches. These rooms will also provide a quiet, supportive space for our mental health partners at Martin & Muir to conduct counseling sessions and mental health check-ins for students who need additional support.
4.Our new Community Outreach Room will be a dedicated space where volunteers can collaborate on a variety of engagement projects and event planning initiatives for IWRBR. This room will serve as a hub for coordinating outreach efforts, brainstorming ideas, and organizing events that strengthen our ties to the community. Volunteers will have access to everything they need in one centralized location, allowing them to drive our outreach efforts forward efficiently.
5.The Wellness Room will offer a dedicated space for emotional regulation and self-care for staff, tutors, and students. Supporting individuals who have experienced trauma can be emotionally demanding, and this space will provide a healthy environment to decompress. We envision it featuring a calming corner, a workout area, and a dedicated space for yoga or wellness classes offered once or twice a month.
Additionally, we are working with our mental health partners to equip the room with tools and coping strategies that support professionals navigating trauma-related challenges in their work.
By expanding our space and resources, we are not only enhancing our ability to serve more families but also fostering a stronger, more connected community where learning, well-being, and support go hand in hand.
Milestones
Goal of the Campaign
Our campaign aims to raise $1.2 million to fund the expansion and renovation of our facilities. With this funding, we will increase our capacity to serve more students, train additional staff and volunteers, and establish vital resources such as a drop-in tutoring service, all with the overarching goal of empowering and enriching the lives of children in our community.
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Completed! On September 4th, 2024, we secured the down payment and officially purchased the building—an exciting first step toward expanding our impact and creating a lasting home for I Would Rather Be Reading.
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Next, we’ll focus on raising $322,555 to renovate the space, transforming it into a dynamic and functional environment that meets the evolving needs of our mission. This reimagined space will include a community tutor classroom, tutor lab, wellness room, AmeriCorps community outreach room, and support suites, ensuring we can provide comprehensive support to the children and families we serve.
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Finally, we’ll raise $667,445 to pay off the building, securing a permanent, sustainable home for I Would Rather Be Reading. This investment will ensure that families and children continue receiving the literacy and mental health support they need for years to come.
Get Involved
The success of the Literacy Launchpad campaign hinges on the collective efforts of our community. Every contribution, whether big or small, plays a vital role in empowering students, transforming lives, and reshaping the educational landscape in Louisville. Here's how you can make a difference:
1. Donate:
Your financial support is instrumental in helping us reach our fundraising goals and realize our vision of expanding our facilities, providing essential resources, and empowering students with the gift of literacy. No donation is too small, and every dollar makes a difference.
2. Volunteer:
Join our dedicated team of volunteers and make a direct impact in the lives of students. Whether you're passionate about tutoring, event planning, or fundraising, there are countless opportunities to lend your time, skills, and expertise to support our mission.
3. Spread the Word:
Help us amplify our message and reach a wider audience by spreading the word about the Literacy Launchpad campaign. Share our campaign on social media, engage with our content, and encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to get involved and support our cause.
4. Sponsor & Attend Our Events:
Stay engaged and connected with our community by attending our events, workshops, and fundraisers. From educational seminars to fundraising galas, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and support our mission in person.
Together, We Can Make a Difference:
By coming together as a community, we have the power to break down barriers, unlock potential, and create a brighter future for generations to come. Join us in our mission to empower every child with the gift of literacy and pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive tomorrow.
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