Every year, I get asked some version of the same question: What actually moves the needle for a struggling reader? My answer hasn’t changed in the ten years since we started Roots and Wings. It’s not a new curriculum or a flashy app. It’s the consistency of a student showing up week after week, building a relationship with the same caring tutor, and developing the belief that nothing is impossible.

That’s the model behind Project UpLift, our free after-school literacy program for students in grades 1 through 3 at Title I public elementary schools who are reading one or two grade levels below where they should be. We work with these schools across Palm Beach County because the students there have the greatest need and their families often lack the resources to help them at home. Project UpLift allows students to stay in their own school and receive extra time and targeted instruction. Unlike a typical classroom of more than 20 students, our small after-school groups of 10 or fewer give each tutor the opportunity to identify and address the specific areas causing the most frustration for struggling readers. Project UpLift emphasizes the recognition of small gains, encouraging every student to keep moving forward.

The need for literacy intervention begins early. As early as kindergarten, students with limited vocabulary are already falling behind. Research shows they may know only a fraction of the words that their more resourced peers know. They are at a disadvantage before they ever open a book, and we believe that a child’s zip code should never determine their ability to read, learn, and thrive.

Reading proficiency by the end of third grade is one of the strongest predictors of long-term academic success, and getting there often takes patient, repeated effort rather than a quick fix. That’s why we track growth and celebrate it in small increments. Small gains matter because they build confidence, and confidence leads to bigger gains. That “Yes, I can” attitude is the vital first step on the road to academic success.

Imagine being called on in class to read aloud and feeling a wave of panic. Imagine not being able to pronounce many of the words on the page. Imagine stuttering in front of your classmates. Now imagine being recognized with an award simply for showing up and trying. Imagine receiving a signed certificate honoring your reading progress, one you can bring home and celebrate with your family. Imagine the shift from “I can’t” to “I can,” and the feeling of knowing you are on your way.

None of this would be possible without the support of the people and organizations who believe in our work. One meaningful example is a two-year literacy grant of $200,000 from The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. Support like this, along with our many other funding partnerships, has allowed us to grow Project UpLift every year since our founding. We are deeply grateful to every funder who recognizes that investing in literacy is one of the most meaningful ways to invest in the future.