Belonging through Service: the Philadelphia Reading Coaches Experience

by Valentina Tartaglini '29

The National Report Card estimates that only 17% of children can read proficiently by the fourth grade. The Philadelphia Reading Coaches program strives to address this issue.

In a school highly regarded for its academics, students at Merion Mercy Academy take their education very seriously. Values of critical thinking, persistent action, and problem solving are instilled in them, emphasizing the importance of the Mercy core value “Educational Courage.” In addition, students are heavily encouraged to pursue their passions and help others in finding theirs through service opportunities. In these, values of “Principled Leadership” and being “Inspired by Faith” call Mercy girls to witness the world around them with an open mind and attentive heart. 

Beginning in November, students 16 and older were given the opportunity to volunteer with the Philadelphia Reading Coaches at Overbrook Educational Center, an early literacy prevention program based in the heart of Philadelphia. Assisting students from all neighborhoods, the project pairs children in grades K-3 with a volunteer, who they will see for at least an hour weekly. Merion Mercy DEIB Coordinator Taylor Stokes commented on the importance of this work:, “It [the Philadelphia Reading Coaches Program] really does a great job not only to make the younger students feel empowered to read, but to know that they're reading with someone who genuinely cares for them and their development.” Volunteer Addison Pollard ’26 agreed, commenting on her love of  “connecting with the kids and helping them grow.” This mentorship is truly the key to fostering an environment of learning by supporting children in becoming their best.  

In addition, the young children participating in the program will take home 25 books at the end of its three to 12-month duration. This truly allows them to further their love of reading by exploring new and unique perspectives as well as exposing them to different literary genres, story-telling techniques, and new ideas. Volunteer Audrey Dougherty’27 said  her favorite part of the program was “the kids’ reactions to the books. They always are excited to start reading, and being able to foster that kind of happiness through reading is super rewarding!” This excitement that is built by rewarding the children not only thrills them, but encourages them to learn more. Ms. Stokes also commented on the types of books given out in the program saying that they are “mostly fiction,”  but there are also some focusing on “learning about influential people in the school community, in the Philadelphia community, in the larger world.” She finished by emphasizing the lessons that these stories teach. “I think dreaming is essential. I think some people don't really get to tap into their imagination as much as we'd want them to. And I think the program gives students an opportunity to imagine and dream.” 

The Philadelphia Reading Coaches program not only inspires students, but teaches them skills they will use for a lifetime. By advocating for students throughout Philadelphia, they promote a sense of understanding in the community by encouraging all people to take part in helping our youth. It is now being acknowledged that two out of three children in Philadelphia cannot read proficiently by the fourth grade, significantly affecting their futures. According to the Nation’s Report Card, only 17% of Philadelphia students can read proficiently by the fourth grade– a truly stunning statistic. These numbers not only prove that our children need more assistance but draw attention to why these scores are so low. Some say that there are structural issues, socioeconomic obstacles, and language barriers. Volunteer Hana Ngyuen’27 reflected on her own experience, “From a young age, I struggled with reading comprehension and language because English was not the first language I grew up hearing. My past challenges have motivated me to participate in Philly Reading Coaches, where I hope to make a positive impact on students' future education. Having struggled with reading, I believe I can empathize with students who are working to become proficient in their reading skills.” 

In conclusion, The Philadelphia Reading Coaches program in affiliation with Merion Mercy Academy strives not only to promote the right to an education but an enlightenment that will lead students of all backgrounds to future prosperity. Through its vigorous devotion to literature, it educates children in considering all perspectives and allows them to understand the different emotions and lessons  conveyed by authors. A child’s experience with the Philadelphia Reading Coaches program can significantly improve their lives by giving them the gift of literacy. The program’s importance can be summarized by volunteer Sanaa Roberts ’27: “Reading is important to me because we live in a world that requires critical thinking. It's not just simply reading words on a page, but being able to analyze what you read. Every adult, teen, and child should be able to navigate the world with strong reading skills.”