Our YRead program helps children and teens gain confidence and increase their reading comprehension and word recognition skills. The program provides one-on-one literacy tutoring to those who are at least one grade level behind in reading. Our supportive volunteer tutors nurture the potential of youth in our community through the support of Y staff, training, and provided literacy materials. Students typically meet once or twice weekly with their tutors at a local library. 

  • Icon: confidence Increases Self-Confidence
  • Icon: Book Improves Reading Skills
  • Icon: cell phone Builds Future Ready Learners
  • Icon: Education Success in School
  • Icon: teaching Personalized Reading Instruction

Students who are enrolled in YRead grow, on average, 2-grade levels in both comprehension and word recognition in a year.

Potential students will meet with one of our staff members as part of the registration process. This appointment usually lasts about 1 hour and will include a discussion on the student's goals, availability, and a reading assessment. To schedule an appointment contact Michelle Peeler, michelle.peeler@gwrymca.org or 314-421-8908. 

Sign up for tutoring

We partner with libraries in the bi-state region to provide this program at convenient locations throughout the community. Students and tutors can also meet at a YMCA location near them.

Our youth students meet with their tutors 1-2 hours twice a week for a year at a library that is convenient for them. The tutor and student cover the essential components of literacy: phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary.

Is there a cost to this program?
This is a free program for youth struggling with reading skills. 

Do I have to be a YMCA member to participate in this program?
No. This program is a free program we offer to our community regardless of YMCA membership. 

Is my preK or Kindergarten student eligible?
Most students learn to read by 6 or 7 years old, that's why we begin to offer our program to students at the end of 1st grade. We recommend these tips to help younger readers:

  • Read to your child daily for at least 15 minutes
    • Stop and ask questions while you are reading
  • Point out letters and words while out in public 
    • Focus on letter sounds, this can be more important than letter names
  • Be a reading example, let your child see you read daily
  • Play games - rhyming, sight words, etc... Make it fun!

Volunteer

When you volunteer at the Y, you not only enhance your personal well-being but also take an active role in bringing about meaningful, enduring change right in your own neighborhood.
a young girl and reading tutor working on a project at the ymca
Volunteer at the Y

English Language Learners

Our ELL program provides supportive and enriching educational experiences to nurture the potential of everyone in our community, especially those who struggle with reading, writing, and English language skills.
two women volunteer for an ELL program
Learn More

Support the Y

Our YMCA has committed to significantly increase our impact in the Gateway Region by serving more people, innovating and improving programs, and ensuring we have purposefully designed spaces to support generations to come.
An image taken in a classroom at one of the YMCA's of four children laughing during reading time. From left to right, the Asian boy, Caucasian girl, Hispanic boy, and African American girl are all sitting on bean bags and holding a book in their hands.
Give Today