See the world through a Child's eye at Melcher Elementary

Read with an elementary student one lunch hour a week. It's the easiest, most meaningful volunteer experience in Kansas City! Apply online, complete a short online training session, and get paired with a student. Not sure you can make a weekly commitment? Sign up with a partner to share the volunteer experience, or become a Flextra "Flexible Reading Mentor" and attend a couple sessions each month.

Lead to Read KC is a Kansas City nonprofit dedicated to supporting the social, emotional and reading skills that are foundational for student success by advancing our literacy platform and mobilizing community volunteers. We help Kansas City children build a brighter future.

What We Do

Launched in 2011, Lead to Read KC connects hundreds of elementary students attending high-need schools with caring adult Reading Mentors each week through our traditional in-classroom and digital reading and mentoring programs. And, we have launched Reading Is Everywhere, a community book distribution initiative, and Reading For Life Author Partnerships to promote self-esteem, coping skills and wellness among the students we serve. Learn more at leadtoreadkc.org.