Fifty-five percent of fourth graders in California read below grade level. It's a shocking statistic, but it's a reality for thousands of children. The Jewish Coalition for Literacy (JCL) is dedicated to reversing this statistic, one child at a time. JCL is part of an effort to engage the Jewish and general communities in tikkun olam - repairing the world - through social justice work in our own local community. Our goal is for all Bay Area students to be reading at grade level by the fourth grade.

Ways You Can Help:

• Tutor a child for one hour once a week at a time and place convenient to you.
• Organize a book drive. Bay Area schools, synagogues and book dealers make annual donations to JCL.
• Collect and distribute donated books. Provide children with books they could not buy on their own.
• Donate funds to support recruiting, training and placement efforts.
• Recruit friends to help tutor children. Your enthusiasm is our best recruitment tool.

Our program is open to all. Contact Helene Tinkler at 510.839.2900 ext. 272 or email helene@jfed.org.