January 23, 2026
Read On Communities
Over the last year, Read On Communities across Arizona have been putting Community Action Grants to work to strengthen early literacy outcomes, expand family engagement, and implement evidence-based literacy strategies to ensure more children start school ready and become strong readers by third grade. These efforts reflect the priorities outlined in Arizona Literacy Plan 2030 to improve literacy outcomes for Arizona students.
Read On Communities serve as local literacy collaboratives, bringing together schools, early learning providers, community and nonprofit organizations, local governments, and families to advance early literacy and shared goals.
Awarded through a competitive application process, these Community Action Grants have helped Read On Communities strengthen efforts and implement evidence-based literacy strategies in alignment with local context, needs, and strengths. The grants were made possible through the Read On Arizona Collaborative Fund, with additional support from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust and the Early Childhood Funders Collaborative.
Expanding High-Impact Tutoring in Pinal County
Read On Casa Grande is scaling and strengthening the AARP Foundation Experience Corps tutoring program to reach more rural schools across Pinal County. This evidence-based model supports young learners in developing critical literacy skills through consistent, one-on-one tutoring with volunteers ages 50+. Over the past year, more than 100 volunteers provided 6,000 hours of one-on-one literacy tutoring to hundreds of students.
Supporting Families in Pima County
Read On Pima County is helping increase early literacy engagement by providing books for families participating in local school readiness and family engagement events at local family resource centers. These books support language development, early reading habits, and meaningful family–child reading experiences that help children develop the skills they need to become strong readers. Through the family resource centers, families are connected to early learning and family support resources. Nearly 2,000 books were distributed, and more than 500 families have gained access to books and early literacy resources needed to help young learners build critical literacy skills and become strong readers.
Empowering Yuma Families Through Somerton Parent University
Read On Yuma, in partnership with First Things First Yuma, the Yuma County Education Service Agency, Arizona Children’s Association, and Somerton School District, is expanding Somerton Parent University to six elementary schools. Through evidence-based workshops focused on boosting language acquisition and early literacy skills, the program equips parents with knowledge and skills to actively support their children’s learning and development at home, including in their home language. Further, young children and families are connected to the schools they'll attend in the future to ensure a strong transition to the classroom.
Bringing the HUG Book Club to Tempe Learners
Read On Tempe is ensuring every Tempe PRE student is enrolled in the Helping Us Grow (HUG) Book Club, giving children access to 4–6 literacy kits and books throughout the school year. Each kit is grounded in key early literacy skills from LETRS and the Arizona Early Learning Standards and supports the development of early literacy skills like book-handling, print concepts, and alphabet knowledge. Students then receive take-home literacy packets to continue learning at home with their parents and caregivers. The project works to equip families with developmentally-appropriate materials that reinforce foundational early literacy skills at home. The project has impacted hundreds of students across Tempe to date.
Expanding Early Literacy Support in Chandler
Read On Chandler partners are working to expand access to evidence-based early literacy programs and supports for families through their community literacy hub. This includes increased access to Make Way for Books Story School, a two-generation model that supports young children while empowering their parents and caregivers, as well as Ready Set Kindergarten, a project to promote school readiness. Through these efforts, hundreds of young children are getting a strong start in literacy and language development. Further, more than 14,000 books have been distributed to support at-home reading routines. This work builds on previous progress to ensure more underserved children and families in Chandler have access to early literacy strategies and high-quality learning experiences.
Expanding Access to Books in Buckeye
Read On Buckeye is supporting early literacy by expanding access to books through the Buckeye Library’s "Grab and Go" literacy kits. These materials give families with children from 3 years old to third grade tools and resources that encourage literacy and language development at home.
Connecting Families to Early Literacy Resources in Flagstaff
Read On Flagstaff partners are working to improve school readiness and early literacy by connecting children and families to literacy tools, resources, and books. Recent literacy fairs brought together children, families, and community organizations for storytelling, reading, learning activities, and workshops offering practical strategies families can use to build literacy and language skills at home. Learn more in our recent community spotlight on Read On Flagstaff.
Supporting Early Literacy Across the Southwest Valley
Read On Southwest Valley expanded family literacy hubs to reach more families with high-quality early literacy support. Through programs such as Make Way for Books Story School and Family Connect Tutoring, the hubs have provided books and literacy-development opportunities to hundreds of families. Parents and caregivers are empowered with strategies, guidance, and books to continue supporting early literacy and language development at home.
Strengthening Family Engagement in Phoenix
Read On Phoenix continues to expand evidence-based literacy programming at family engagement literacy hubs. These community hubs connect families with early literacy resources, workshops, and support designed to empower families in building their children's early language and literacy skills. Partners are working to expand programs, including Experience Corps Tutoring, family engagement and parent development resources, and expansion of the Literacy Hub Library.
Boosting School Readiness in Greater Surprise
Read On Greater Surprise is working to improve school readiness for young children through free, evidence-based workshops for 4- and 5-year-olds and their caregivers. Their 8-week series, "Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten," is designed to prepare kids for kindergarten in a safe, supportive environment, with curriculum aligned with Arizona’s early learning standards and academic standards for kindergarten. Learn more in our community spotlight on Read On Greater Surprise.
Capacity building is a core function of Read On Arizona’s approach, and these grants are an example of how collaborative efforts bring additional resources into our state.
