At Roots and Wings, we believe that literacy is the foundation for lifelong learning and success. Project UpLift embodies this belief by providing struggling young readers with the tools, guidance, and confidence they need to thrive. Through this transformative, free, after-school program, we support students in grades 1-3 who are reading one or two grades below grade level, helping them make significant strides in their reading abilities and academic confidence.
With personalized instruction led by dedicated, certified teachers from their own schools, students in Project UpLift benefit from small-group settings that foster learning in a fun way. Each school has a Literacy Coordinator who creates lesson plans that are individuated by need and works with the teachers to ensure student success. In these safe, nurturing environments, children are not just improving their reading skills – they’re discovering a love for learning and the belief that they can achieve greatness.
This school year, Project UpLift is in 20 Title One public schools and reaching 1,500 students throughout Palm Beach County, offering a lifeline to children at a critical juncture in their education. Without the ability to read proficiently by the end of third grade, many children face significant academic challenges. Project UpLift aims to ensure that every Project Uplift student has the support they need to succeed.
The results speak for themselves: in the 2024-2025 school year, 94% of all participating Project UpLift students showed reading gains, and 96% of our third grade students made significant reading gains. Although our students begin the year in the bottom 25% of their class, by the time the year ends, they are being promoted at a similar rate to the other students. This is a testament to the power of focused remedial support provided in a small-group setting by a teacher who knows the students best. But beyond the numbers, it’s the stories of transformation that drive us – stories of children who once struggled with words but now walk into class with newfound confidence and joy.
Project UpLift isn’t just about academic success; it’s about building academic confidence and promoting the joy of learning. With the unwavering support of teachers, parents, and the community, we are creating a brighter future for our students.
By investing in early literacy, we are lifting up children, schools, and communities – one word, one page, one book at a time.
